The Karnataka Meitei Association has expressed solidarity with Prof. Bimol Akoijam, calling for a fair investigation and urging elected representatives to rise above party politics.
Imphal, Oct. 16: The Karnataka Meitei Association (KMA) has expressed solidarity with Inner Manipur MP Prof. Bimol Akoijam, calling for a fair investigation into the allegations against him and urging elected representatives to approach the matter beyond party politics.
The association said it was concerned about developments involving the Congress MP and described the reported dismissal of Prof. Bimol from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) without due process as unfortunate. It also opposed treating allegations against him as proven without a fair trial.
In a statement, KMA said Prof. Bimol had emerged as a prominent representative of Manipur by raising issues affecting the state in Parliament and bringing them to national and international attention.
The association noted that Prof. Bimol had not been involved in electoral politics before the crisis that began in May 2023 compelled him to enter public life and represent the people of Manipur.
KMA clarified that it is a non-political organisation working for the welfare of the Meitei diaspora in Bengaluru and Karnataka and is not affiliated with any political party. It said its support for Prof. Bimol was based on his performance as a representative rather than his party affiliation.
“Whether he joins the BJP or Congress or any other party, for a highly vocal, high-performing MP like him, it is the leader's delivering quality that matters; we will always support him regardless of political party lines,” the association stated.
The association also expressed concern over issues facing Manipur, including questions surrounding the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Census. It warned that attempts to discredit Prof. Bimol could divert attention from these concerns and weaken the state's representation in Parliament.
KMA questioned who would raise the concerns of Manipur's people at the national level if the MP's voice were silenced. It also argued that his interventions had helped bring greater attention to the state's situation across mainland India.
Urging elected representatives to act with sincerity and unity, the association called on the Manipur government to handle the matter sensitively.
KMA demanded a fair investigation in accordance with the rule of law and said allegations should not be treated as established facts without due process. It maintained that efforts to discredit Prof. Bimol or silence his voice would be a disservice to the people he represents.
The statement concluded with the words, “May justice prevail. Satyameva Jayate.”
