Imphal : Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the action taken by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) against Congress MP Bimol Akoijam following allegations of sexual harassment.

In a post on X on Friday, Biren Singh addressed Gandhi with the words, “Listen carefully,” and questioned whether the Congress leadership would take action against the MP.

Referring to the university’s internal committee and its recommendations, the former chief minister argued that political leaders should be held accountable when serious allegations emerge against members of their party.

He asked whether Gandhi would act against Akoijam and raised the question of whether the Congress leader should step down as Leader of the Opposition if accountability was not ensured.

Biren Singh also revisited Gandhi’s earlier criticism of the Centre over the ethnic violence in Manipur. He referred to the Congress leader’s no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and the parliamentary confrontation surrounding the state’s situation.

The former chief minister alleged that the manner in which the Manipur crisis had been presented internationally had damaged the state’s image. He argued that the standards of accountability demanded of political opponents should also apply within one’s own party.

The remarks have added to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress over the JNU controversy.

However, allegations of sexual harassment, recommendations by a university’s internal committee and the determination of criminal liability are separate matters. The allegations should not be treated as established criminal guilt in the absence of a final determination.