Smriti Irani questions Rahul Gandhi’s silence after JNU sacks professor and Congress MP over sexual harassment allegations
BJP leader Smriti Irani has publicly questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence regarding sexual harassment allegations against Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. The allegations were reportedly substantiated by an internal committee at JNU, leading to the professor's dismissal.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the intersection of political accountability and gender-based violence in Indian academic and political spheres.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday (October 9, 2026) accused Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of remaining “silent” on the dismissal of Congress MP and JNU professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam over sexual harassment allegations.
At a press conference, BJP national secretary Smriti Irani sought answers from the Congress leadership for taking no action despite the charges against its MP being “substantiated” in an inquiry into complaints filed by female students.
“The former Congress president repeatedly speaks about ‘smashing the patriarchy’. However, since this matter came to light, has he taken any action against his MP? News reports today indicate that an internal complaints committee conducted an inquiry into the matter, which substantiated the allegations levelled against Congress MP Bimol Akoijam,” she said.
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