Congress Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was sacked as a professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), has termed his dismissal a “witch hunt”, alleging violations of statutory confidentiality requirements and university regulations, and warned BJP and RSS leaders in Manipur against what he described as politically motivated attempts to silence him.
The allegation against the vice-chancellor remains Akoijam’s claim, and its legal validity would depend on the circumstances of the disclosure and the applicable provisions. Referring to Regulation 8 of JNU’s rules, he said the regulations provide 30 days for the parties concerned to appeal against the findings and recommendations. He also cited Rule 8(6), which, according to his interpretation, provides for a show-cause notice requiring a response within 10 days in the circumstances covered by the provision. The Congress MP also accused the JNU vice-chancellor of breaching Section 16 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which provides for confidentiality concerning the identities of the parties and information relating to proceedings under the law.
Earlier reporting noted: JNU sacks professor and Congress MP accused of sexually harassing students Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Friday terminated the services of professor and Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was accused of sexually harassing several female students, following an inquiry by the varsity’s internal committee. At the centre of his objection was his assertion that he had not received the Internal Committee’s inquiry report or its findings and recommendations before learning about the dismissal through media reports. He questioned whether the prescribed procedure had been followed, particularly regarding the opportunity available to the parties to appeal against the committee’s findings. “I want these people to come out without their masks. “I don’t have the report or the dismissal order.
Addressing the media in the presence of Congress workers, including Th Brinda and Popilal, Akoijam questioned the procedure followed by JNU in dismissing him from service with immediate effect on October 9 and announced that he would challenge the decision through legal and political means. Akoijam said the Internal Committee’s findings and recommendations were reportedly submitted on October 9, the same day the university issued the dismissal order.
Earlier reporting noted: In an official order, the university said the decision was taken in accordance with service rules prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules. Earlier reporting noted: While Akoijam did not respond to HT’s requests for comment, he was quoted by PTI as saying that the dismissal was a “blessing in disguise to expose the witch-hunt” against him. I have nothing to hide if it is true,” he told PTI. If there are any allegations, show me that… Only then, you will know how this witch-hunt is going on,” Akoijam said.
