JAMMU, OCTOBER 10, 2026 : Hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists staged a protest against the Congress in Jammu on Saturday, burning an effigy of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and demanding his resignation over a controversy involving Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
The demonstration, organised by the BJP’s women’s wing, focused on allegations of sexual harassment involving students and the reported dismissal of Akoijam by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). BJP leaders used the protest to question the Congress leadership’s position on women’s safety and accountability.
The allegations and the circumstances surrounding the reported university action remain matters that require careful distinction from the political claims made during the demonstration.
Sat Sharma Leads BJP Demonstration
The protest was led by Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma and attended by several party legislators, including Chandra Prakash Ganga, Narinder Singh, Yudhvir Sethi, Devinder Kumar Manyal, Arvind Gupta, Mohan Lal and Vikram Randhawa. Former minister Priya Sethi also participated.
Protesters assembled near the Deputy Commissioner’s office along Wazarat Road before marching towards Residency Road. They intended to demonstrate outside the Congress headquarters.
Police personnel stopped the march, following which BJP leaders and workers staged a sit-in protest. During the demonstration, protesters also set an effigy of Rahul Gandhi on fire.
The protest brought the BJP’s criticism of the Congress into the streets of Jammu, with party leaders raising issues related to women’s safety, political accountability and the proposed legislation on women’s reservation.
BJP Questions Congress Leadership Over Akoijam Controversy
Addressing the demonstrators, Sat Sharma accused the Congress of being anti-women and criticised the party over the controversy involving its Lok Sabha MP from Inner Manipur, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
Sharma referred to the reported action taken by JNU against the parliamentarian over allegations of sexual harassment involving students. He demanded that Akoijam be expelled from the Lok Sabha, arguing that the reported university action should have consequences for his parliamentary position as well.
Sharma also called on Rahul Gandhi to clarify his position on the issue and the dignity of women. He demanded that Gandhi either apologise to the nation or resign as Leader of the Opposition.
These demands represented the BJP leadership’s political position during the demonstration. The allegations themselves should not be treated as established findings beyond the reported action by the university.
Women’s Reservation Becomes Another Point of Contention
The BJP president also criticised the Congress over its position on the proposed legislation providing one-third reservation for women in legislative bodies.
Sharma said the BJP supported the legislation as a means of increasing women’s representation in elected institutions. He alleged that the Congress had opposed the move.
The issue of women’s reservation has remained an important subject in India’s political debate, involving questions of representation, implementation and the role of different parties in advancing legislative changes.
The BJP’s remarks in Jammu linked the reservation debate with its broader criticism of the Congress on women’s rights and political accountability.
BJP MLA Chandra Prakash Ganga Targets Opposition
BJP MLA Chandra Prakash Ganga accused the Congress and other opposition parties of attempting to create political instability in the country.
He alleged that opposition parties were using issues such as electronic voting machines (EVMs) to divert public attention from development-related matters.
Ganga said BJP workers would not tolerate attempts to disturb peace and would remain committed to protecting the country’s unity and integrity.
His remarks reflected the BJP’s wider criticism of opposition politics, particularly regarding electoral issues and competing claims about governance and development.
Yudhvir Sethi Attacks Congress Over Political Record
BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi also criticised the Congress, accusing the party of corruption, dynastic politics and anti-Muslim politics.
He alleged that the Congress had exploited economically disadvantaged sections of society and pursued appeasement politics while misleading the public on several issues.
These allegations formed part of the political rhetoric at the demonstration and were not independently substantiated in the initial report.
Political Significance of the Jammu Protest
The demonstration highlighted the continuing political confrontation between the BJP and Congress in Jammu and Kashmir.
By focusing on the controversy involving Akoijam, women’s safety and the proposed reservation legislation, the BJP sought to challenge the Congress leadership on questions of accountability and representation.
The Congress’s response to the accusations, along with further clarification regarding the reported university action, would be important in establishing the full context of the controversy.
The protest also demonstrated how national political disputes can become the focus of local demonstrations, drawing party workers, legislators and police into public confrontations.
KEY DETAILS
- Date: October 10, 2026
- Location: Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir
- Organiser: BJP women’s wing
- Protest leader: Sat Sharma, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president
- Main target: Congress and Rahul Gandhi
- Major demand: Rahul Gandhi’s resignation as Leader of the Opposition
- Other issue raised: Women’s reservation in legislative bodies
- Protest action: Effigy burning and sit-in after police stopped the march
The BJP’s protest added another chapter to the political confrontation between the two parties, with the demonstration centred on allegations involving a Congress MP, women’s safety and competing claims over political accountability.
