Archive · 12 Oct 2026
JNU Dismisses Professor; Teachers Challenge Vice-Chancellor’s Authority
Jawaharlal Nehru University has dismissed professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam after an inquiry into sexual harassment complaints.
The university said its Internal Committee investigated the complaints and recommended a major punishment.
Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit signed the order, and the dismissal took effect immediately.
Akoijam is also a Congress member of Parliament from Manipur.
Some faculty members and the teachers’ association say the executive council should have decided whether to dismiss him.
They also say the committee report was leaked despite confidentiality rules.
The university’s order cited service rules, but a faculty member disputed whether the Central Civil Services rules apply to JNU.
Akoijam has called the complaints a “witch-hunt.”
Jawaharlal Nehru University dismissed professor and Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam with immediate effect after an internal inquiry into sexual harassment allegations.
The university order said its Internal Committee found grounds for major punishment and cited service rules, including Rule 11(ix) of the Central Civil Services rules.
Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit signed the dismissal order on Friday.
Faculty members and the JNU Teachers’ Association said the executive council, not the vice-chancellor alone, had authority to decide on dismissal.
JNUTA also alleged that leaking the committee report breached confidentiality and described the dismissal as politically motivated; Akoijam called the complaints a “witch-hunt.”
- Who
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, professor and Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit, and the JNU Teachers’ Association.
- What
- JNU dismissed Akoijam after an Internal Committee inquiry; faculty members and JNUTA challenged the process and the vice-chancellor’s authority.
- When
- The dismissal order was issued on Friday and took effect immediately; the articles do not specify the date.
- Where
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The university said the Internal Committee’s findings and recommendation for major punishment led to the dismissal. Critics alleged procedural violations and political motivation.
University’s stated grounds
Faculty and teachers’ association objections
Basis for dismissal
University’s stated grounds
The university order said the Internal Committee investigated the allegations, recommended major punishment, and that due process and available facts were considered.
Faculty and teachers’ association objections
Akoijam called the complaints a “witch-hunt.” JNUTA said procedural violations in sexual harassment cases undermine justice and can disadvantage complainants.
Who could dismiss the professor
University’s stated grounds
The vice-chancellor signed and issued the dismissal order.
Faculty and teachers’ association objections
Faculty members and JNUTA argued that the executive council, identified as the appointing authority, had the power to decide on dismissal under JNU’s rules.
Confidentiality and political motivation
University’s stated grounds
The university’s order cited the committee’s findings and said due process had been followed.
Faculty and teachers’ association objections
JNUTA alleged that the committee report and dismissal order were leaked in breach of confidentiality and claimed the decision was driven by a political agenda. A faculty member also questioned the application of Central Civil Services rules to JNU and alleged government pressure.
- Professor
- Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, associated with JNU’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems
- University
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Decision
- Dismissal from university services, effective immediately
- Inquiry
- JNU’s Internal Committee investigated sexual harassment allegations and recommended major punishment, according to the university order
- Order
- Issued Friday and signed by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit
- Rules cited
- The order cited applicable service rules and Rule 11(ix) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules
- Disputed process
- Faculty members and JNUTA said the executive council should decide on dismissal; JNUTA also alleged a breach of confidentiality through the report’s leak
- Complaints
- One article reported that 11 complaints had been filed against Akoijam in recent months
Sources
Harassment axe on JNU professor: VC not authorised to take decision, say faculty - Telegraph India
JNU teachers allege rule violations in Angomcha Bimol Akoijam dismissal by vice-chancellor - Telegraph India
