Congress MLA's remark on 'why rape happens with adivasi girls' triggers row, draws BJP's attack

AControversial financial statement by us congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya blaming scriptures for violate of ‘ get down castes’ women has triggered a political firestorm in Madhya Pradesh, with BJP attacking for what it termed as deep “polluted” and “distorted” mindset.The controversy erupted after Baraiya, in a media interview, claimed that scriptures tend to promote rapes against people of lower castes.Referring to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Congress MLA claimed women from these communities are targeted due to what he described as a “distorted belief system” rooted in ancient texts.He cited a book he referred to as Rudrayamal Tantra, alleging that perpetrators believe sexual violence against women of certain castes brings spiritual merit, comparable to undertaking pilgrimages.Also read: Jodhpur man held for raping two daughters, one of them for 12 yrs‘Theory of rape’In the purported video, that has now gone viral, Baraiya said that rapes "may happen if a person walking on the road comes across a very beautiful girl" passing by.“The theory of rape is that any man, regardless of the kind of mind he has, may be walking along the road. If he sees a very beautiful girl—extremely beautiful—his brain can get distracted, and then rape can happen."He then questions why rapes happen with adivasi girls, questioning, “Are there any beautiful girls among adivasis. Is there any beautiful girl among Scheduled Castes category? Then why do rapes happen?” “Rape mostly happens to women from Adivasi communities, whose women are considered very beautiful, and from Scheduled Castes, whose women are also considered very beautiful. OBC women too, he said, are very beautiful, and that is why they face rape more often. Why does rape happen?" he questioned.The MLA then goes on to suggest that “scriptures promote rapes against women of lower castes”.Also read: HC clears man of rape as minor survivor’s statement was reply to ‘leading question’"It is written in their religious scriptures. It is written at one place that if one commits sexual offence with the people of this (lower) caste will yield "teerth phal" or "fruit of pilgrimage". Now if he cannot go on a pilgrimage, what option was given while sitting at home? That by having intercourse with their women, one gets that fruit? Then what will he do? In darkness, he will try to catch someone. One person can never rape a woman. If she does not consent, he will not do it," Baraiya said in the widely circulated video.‘Went to libraries, found this clue’: The wilder defenceWhen questioned by the media over why he made such remarks, Baraiya didn't retract from his statements but gave a wilder defence. He claimed the remarks were not part of the video, suggesting his comments were taken out of context or said off the record.He maintained that his remarks were based on what he described as extensive personal inquiry, saying, “I went to many places, I observed, I asked questions in many places, I made efforts, I went through many libraries. From there, I found this clue.” Rejecting allegations of impropriety, he insisted there was nothing indecent in what he said and defended himself by adding, “No, where is there any indecent comment against women in this? I am standing in favour of women.”BJP attacks Congress leadershipThe Bharatiya Janata Party mounted a fierce attack on the Congress, with Madhya Pradesh BJP media in-charge Ashish Usha Agarwal targeting both Baraiya and the party leadership.Taking a swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Agarwal said the MLA’s remarks reflected broader acceptance within the Congress. “On stage with Rahul Gandhi in Indore, Congress MLA Phool Singh Baria— This is consensus... Acceptance,” he said in a post on X.“It is now clear that the polluted, distorted, and frustrated mindset toward women and the SC-ST community is not just Baria's, but the thinking of the entire Congress under Rahul Gandhi's leadership.”Agarwal also questioned the silence of senior Congress leaders.Calling the remarks an insult to women, he added, “A woman is a goddess, not a political tool. Such insult will not be tolerated. Shame on such a Congress.”