A collective of Manipuri civil society organisations operating in Delhi has formally demanded a fair, impartial, and confidential inquiry into the sexual harassment controversy at Jawaharlal Nehru University involving Lok Sabha MP Professor Bimol Akoijam. The groups voiced deep apprehension regarding the manner in which the institution and authorities have handled the sensitive matter thus far.
Concerns Raised Over Procedural Lapses and Transparency
In a joint press statement, the organisations asserted that alleged procedural deviations, the public leaking of sensitive details, and the singling out of individuals have severely undermined the credibility and fairness of the ongoing proceedings. Maintaining that an issue of this nature requires absolute institutional responsibility, strict confidentiality, and impeccable procedural integrity, the groups emphasised that justice must be administered without any external interference or bias.
Warning Against Continuous Media Trial and Sensationalism
The civil bodies expressed strong reservations about what they described as an ongoing media trial surrounding the case. They cautioned that rampant speculation, selective information sharing, and sensationalist news reporting run the risk of prejudicing the investigation, damaging reputations unfairly, and inflicting avoidable distress on everyone involved. According to the organisations, media engagement must strictly respect individual rights, due process, and the confidentiality required in sensitive inquiries.
Scrutiny of University Administration and Internal Committee
Highlighting similar apprehension reportedly voiced by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association regarding procedural infractions, the groups called for an objective review of the conduct exhibited by the university administration and its internal grievance committee. They argued that such a transparent review is vital to restoring public faith in the institutional mechanisms. Furthermore, they stressed that natural justice must prevail, ensuring robust safeguards to protect all parties from external pressure and preconceived judgments.
Warning Against Political Exploitation of the Issue
The organisations further alleged that political motivations have superseded the primary requirement of conducting a confidential and objective probe, warning that the controversy risks being weaponised for political maneuvering in both Delhi and Manipur. They pointed out that this politicisation is particularly distressing given that Manipur has endured a prolonged and severe crisis for nearly four years, during which comparable urgency and public focus have rarely been directed toward resolving the state's deeper troubles. The groups also referenced infrastructure developments as reported previously while contrasting the state's ongoing hardships with the hyper-focus on this specific institutional controversy.
Concluding their appeal, the collective urged the university authorities to uphold the tenets of natural justice, preserve strict confidentiality, and shield participants from prejudices stemming from external influences or aggressive media coverage. They also reiterated their plea to media outlets to exercise restraint and avoid sensationalism that could compromise the integrity of the inquiry as public and political attention on the controversy continues.
