Wednesday’s march saw supporters of Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam storm the gate of the BJP headquarters in Imphal, chanting slogans and reading demands for his resignation. The demonstrators, armed with placards accusing the BJP of political persecution, pushed back the police who had been stationed at the entrance. The crowd’s chants echoed “No witch hunt, no resignation!” while the BJP state president, A Sharda Devi, was the target of the protest. The police, citing crowd control protocols, gradually forced the marchers back into the streets. The protest reflected the growing tension in Manipur over the JNU controversy.
At the same time, a sit‑in protest erupted at Akoijam’s own residence, where supporters gathered to express solidarity and denounce the FIR lodged against him. The sit‑in, led by local party workers, blocked the main entrance and held up signs that read “Justice for Akoijam” and “Stop the political witch hunt.” After the sit‑in, the MP emerged from his house to thank the crowd, admitting that he had kept quiet until the legal process required it.
The uproar stems from a Delhi Police FIR filed after a complaint by JNU authorities alleging sexual misconduct by students involving Akoijam. The BJP’s A Sharda Devi has called for his resignation, arguing that he is unfit to serve. The Congress MP has dismissed the case as a targeted political attack, describing it as a witch hunt and claiming that he is being harassed for voicing concerns about Manipur.
Akoijam denied that he was hiding in Imphal and rejected the BJP’s claims of a protective shield from Rahul Gandhi. He insisted that the accusations are baseless and that the BJP is exploiting the situation for political gain. He also accused the state leadership of undermining democratic norms by pressuring a sitting MP to step down without due process.
In response, BJP state president A Sharda Devi reiterated her stance, stating that the allegations are “serious” and that the party will not tolerate misconduct from any of its members. The BJP also urged the public to respect the legal process and to refrain from what it calls “political witch hunts.”
The legal case remains under investigation by Delhi Police, with the next court hearing set for July, as per the court schedule. Both parties are preparing for the proceedings, while supporters on the ground continue to demand accountability and transparency in the investigation.