Congress MLA's Controversial Remarks on Rape Spark Political Backlash
Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya's comments linking beauty to rape have ignited controversy. During an interview, he claimed that sexual violence against women from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes is encouraged by certain religious scriptures. Baraiya suggested that a man's distraction by 'extremely beautiful' women could lead to rape, a statement that has drawn widespread condemnation. BJP leaders criticized his remarks as trivializing rape and demanded his expulsion from the Congress party. Baraiya defended his statements, claiming they were based on personal observations and research. The remarks surfaced as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Indore, intensifying the political fallout.
Published 2 days ago • 17 Jan 2026, 03:03 PM IST