MLA Phool Singh Baraiya’s Rape Remarks Trigger Political Firestorm in Madhya Pradesh

Delhi: A political storm has erupted in Madhya Pradesh after Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya made remarks on sexual violence that have triggered widespread outrage and sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The comments, delivered during an interaction with the media, were seen as trivialising rape and shifting blame onto women and marginalised communities.

In a video clip circulating widely on social media, Baraiya is heard offering an explanation for rape that links the crime to physical appearance and momentary loss of control. He claimed that even men with otherwise “ordinary thinking” could commit such crimes if they became distracted after seeing a woman he described as “extremely beautiful.” His remarks were immediately condemned for appearing to justify sexual violence and for echoing victim-blaming narratives.

The controversy escalated further when the Congress legislator introduced caste-based reasoning into the discussion. Baraiya alleged that women from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes are targeted more frequently due to what he described as misguided beliefs influenced by ancient religious interpretations. Referring to a text he identified as Rudrayamal Tantra, he suggested that some individuals believe sexual acts with women of certain castes bring spiritual merit comparable to religious pilgrimages.

These assertions were criticised across the political spectrum for being offensive, unfounded and harmful, particularly to women from vulnerable communities.

Despite the backlash, Baraiya declined to issue an apology. Responding to questions from journalists, he argued that his statements had been misunderstood and claimed that parts of the video were not meant to be public. Defending his remarks, he said his views were based on what he called personal research and field observations. “I visited many places, spoke to people and consulted books. That is how I arrived at this understanding,” he said, insisting that he was speaking “in support of women,” not against them.

The BJP seized on the controversy to launch a direct attack on the Congress leadership. Madhya Pradesh BJP media in-charge Ashish Usha Agarwal accused the opposition party of harbouring a regressive mindset and failing to uphold respect for women and marginalised communities. He questioned the silence of senior Congress leaders and alleged that the MLA’s association with Rahul Gandhi reflected implicit approval.

Calling the remarks deeply insulting, Agarwal said such thinking demeans women and the SC-ST community and should not be normalised in public discourse. He added that women deserve dignity and protection, not political justifications for crimes committed against them.