A major political controversy has erupted following Jawaharlal Nehru University's decision to dismiss a professor and Congress Member of Parliament over allegations of sexual harassment and sex-for-marks. While an internal inquiry panel substantiated complaints involving female students, the MP has denied the charges, calling the proceedings a political witch-hunt and harassment. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor backed him, terming the university's move unjust.
Meanwhile, a delegation of 15 BJP women Members of Parliament, led by D. Purandeswari, submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu demanding a referral to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, suspension pending inquiry, protection for the complainants, and swift legal action while questioning the silence of Congress leadership.
In a separate rural development initiative in Uttar Pradesh, the state government's BC Sakhi scheme has continued to drive financial inclusion and empower women in rural areas. Operating on a decentralized model, the scheme deploys trained banking correspondents to deliver doorstep financial services across gram panchayats, significantly reducing the need for villagers to travel to distant bank branches.