Crime
Outrage Over Congress MLA’s ‘Rape Theory’: Phool Singh Baraiya Links Sexual Crimes to Beauty and Scriptures
A massive political storm has erupted in Madhya Pradesh following deeply offensive and misogynistic remarks by Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya. The legislator from Bhander (SC) has sparked nationwide outrage by claiming that “beautiful women” distract men and lead to sexual violence, while simultaneously linking rapes of Dalit and tribal women to distorted interpretations of religious scriptures.
In an interview that went viral today, Baraiya attempted to explain his “theory” on the causes of rape in India. He stated that the highest number of sexual crimes are committed against women from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
“The theory of rape is that if a man, regardless of his mental state, is walking down the road and sees an extremely beautiful girl, his mind can get distracted and rape can happen,” Baraiya said. He then made a highly derogatory follow-up claim, questioning the appearance of women from backward communities: “Where are such beautiful women among tribals, Dalits, or OBCs? Yet, why do rapes happen to them?”
The controversy deepened as Baraiya suggested that perpetrators target Dalit and tribal women based on instructions found in “religious scriptures.” He claimed that certain texts promise “spiritual merit” (Teerth Phal) or the rewards of a pilgrimage to those who commit sexual violence against women of certain castes.
When pressed by reporters to name the specific scriptures, Baraiya failed to provide a clear answer but insisted that such a “mindset” exists, even leading to crimes against infants. He controversially added that “one person can never rape a woman without her consent,” a statement that has been slammed by activists for promoting victim-blaming.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Congress leadership. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav condemned the remarks as “poisonous” and an attempt to spread social hatred. “I hope Rahul Gandhi expels him from the party to show that the Congress actually respects women and backward sections of society,” the CM stated.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also expressed his pain, stating that daughters should never be divided or weighed on a “scale of beauty.” BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra described the remarks as an insult to humanity and Sanatan traditions, questioning why senior Congress leaders remained silent while Baraiya spoke.
Facing intense heat, the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee has distanced itself from Baraiya’s statements. State President Jitu Patwari clarified that the party does not endorse such views, calling them the MLA’s “personal opinion.” Patwari emphasized that a rapist is a criminal regardless of caste or religion and confirmed that the party has sought an explanation from the legislator.
For his part, Baraiya later issued a “clarification,” claiming his video was edited to show his statements in a negative light. He argued that he was merely trying to highlight why rape cases have not decreased since independence, though he did not apologize for his specific remarks on women’s appearance.