Guwahati: Congress MP Bimol Akoijam said on Friday that he would legally challenge his dismissal from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) over sexual harassment allegations.On returning to Imphal a day after appearing before Delhi Police investigators, Akoijam told reporters, “I will challenge all these allegations. My lawyers are taking time to prepare the case. We will file it within a day or two. In the meantime, I have already made it clear that I will cooperate with the investigation.”The Inner Manipur MP said, “I have cooperated, and I will continue to cooperate. As a people’s representative, I have many responsibilities, which is why I had to return. Whenever I am required, I will go again.”“I had a discussion with the police officials and requested that they give me adequate notice rather than summon me at short notice, as I have other responsibilities as an MP. They asked me some preliminary questions, and I answered them,” he added.Akoijam said Manipur faced more serious crises and urged the media to focus on internally displaced persons, lawlessness, buffer-zone issues and what he called the normalisation of abnormal conditions.“Thousands of people are languishing in relief camps. I don’t think my pain is anything greater than the pain of these people,” he said, alleging that the action against him was an attempt to silence his voice.Earlier, BJP workers protested outside Congress Bhavan in Imphal, demanding Akoijam’s resignation and accusing him of bringing disrepute to Manipur. Police prevented them from entering the premises.Congress spokesperson Hareshwar Goshwami called the protest a diversionary tactic and accused the ruling party of deflecting attention from killings and the state’s crisis.Akoijam, a professor at JNU’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems, was dismissed on Oct 9 following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations. He has denied the charges, termed the action a “witch hunt” and alleged that he was not allowed to respond to the inquiry committee’s findings.Delhi Police booked him on Oct 11 following a complaint by JNU’s chief security officer. He has been charged under the provisions of the BNS relating to sexual harassment and acts intended to insult a woman’s modesty, among other offences.Reports said at least 11 female students complained about him in May, alleging that he invited students to his campus residence for meetings or gatherings and attempted to harass them. Some also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in class.
