JNU Dismisses Congress MP Prof. Bimol Akoijam Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Friday dismissed Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from service, with immediate effect, following an inquiry by its Internal Committee (IC) into sexual harassment allegations made by 11 women students.

The order, dated October 9, 2026, is signed by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit. Akoijam, a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems in the School of Social Sciences, is also the Congress Lok Sabha MP from Inner Manipur.

WHAT THE ORDER SAYS

The order says the Internal Committee inquired into the allegations and, based on its findings, recommended major punishment under the applicable service rules.

“Upon following the due process and considering all available facts and as per the report of the Internal Committee (IC), the punishment of dismissal from the services of the University is hereby imposed on Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam,” it states.

THE COMPLAINTS

The 11 students reportedly filed complaints with the university in May 2026. The reported allegations include inappropriate remarks, advances at gatherings and conduct during academic interactions. One student reportedly alleged that marks were linked to sexual favours. The students alleged that no action was taken on their complaint at the time.

In September, Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Lata Gupta took suo motu cognisance of a video circulating on social media in which students described their complaint to the Vice-Chancellor.

The commission asked JNU for an action-taken report within three days, and wanted to know whether the complaint had been placed before the Internal Complaints Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and, if no action had been taken, why.

The commission said complainants should not be denied justice because of administrative inaction or delay, and that it would examine the university’s report and act as necessary.

THE ABVP PROTEST AND THE DENIAL

On September 9, the ABVP protested at the School of Social Sciences, demanding Akoijam’s dismissal and alleging that the complaints had remained unresolved for nearly four months.

Akoijam denied the allegations when they surfaced, calling the reports “unverified, intentional, unethical and illegal.” He said he had “nothing to hide” and indicated he would pursue legal remedies.

In April 2025, JNU’s Executive Council dismissed another professor from the School of International Studies over a sexual harassment complaint by a Japanese researcher. The Vice-Chancellor said at the time that the university had a “zero-tolerance policy towards sexual predators.”

With inputs from ANI