The BJP has accused the Congress of being an “anti-women” party after it appointed Inner Manipur MP A Bimol Akoijam to three key election-related committees in the state despite sexual harassment allegations against him.
BJP national general secretary Smriti Irani criticized the Congress’s decision, claiming it contradicted the party’s public commitment to women’s rights and gender equality.
“The Congress party that chants slogans such as ‘Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon’ and ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ has once again exposed its true character and attitude towards respecting women,” Irani wrote in a post on X.
She alleged that 11 female students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) had made serious sexual harassment allegations against Akoijam and questioned why the Congress had entrusted him with a significant role in the Manipur Pradesh Election Committee.
Irani further argued that the Congress treats women’s dignity as an electoral slogan rather than a core principle.
Echoing the criticism, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari described the Congress as an “anti-women party” and claimed its “Smash the Patriarchy” slogan was merely symbolic. He also alleged that Rahul Gandhi promotes individuals accused of crimes against women.
On November 11, the Congress announced a series of committees to oversee preparations for the upcoming Manipur Assembly elections, naming Akoijam to three important election panels.
Akoijam was recently dismissed from JNU following allegations of sexual harassment. However, he has termed the action a “witch-hunt” and questioned whether the university followed due process in handling the matter.
In a separate post on its official X handle, the BJP accused the Congress of rewarding Akoijam with an influential organizational role instead of ensuring accountability.
The party also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s silence on the issue, asking whether this was the Congress’s version of “smashing patriarchy.”
