MP: Congress MLA triggers outrage with shocking rape remarks linking women, caste and religion

Phool Singh Baraiya, while speaking publicly, claimed that “beautiful women” distract men and that such distraction can lead to rape.

He further connected sexual violence to caste and religious beliefs.

“Women from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBC communities are being raped the most. The theory of rape is that if a man sees a beautiful woman while walking down the road, no matter how sane he is, he will be distracted,” Baraiya was quoted as saying by India Today.

“But is there any beautiful woman in the Adivasi or SC/ST communities?” he added.

The MLA went on to claim that women from these communities are targeted because of alleged references in religious scriptures.

“It is written in their religious scriptures that if a man has intercourse with women from these communities, he will be rewarded with a pilgrimage,” he said, according to the report.

The remarks drew sharp condemnation across the political spectrum.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav strongly criticised Baraiya and demanded action from the Congress leadership.

“I strongly criticise what he has said. I want Rahul Gandhi to speak to him and suspend him immediately for these remarks,” the Chief Minister was quoted as saying by India Today.

The comments also drew criticism from the Punjab State Women’s Commission.

Chairperson Raj Gill condemned the remarks in a post on X, saying that attempting to explain or rationalise rape reflects complicity rather than concern for women’s safety.

“The moment a leader starts explaining why men rape instead of condemning it, he becomes part of the problem,” Gill wrote. She added that such statements reinforce harmful attitudes and recalled similar controversial remarks made by political leaders in the past.