Congress MLA sparks outrage with remarks on SC-ST leaders:Baraiya compares MLAs to dogs, alleges RSS is converting tribals into Hindus

Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya from Bhander in Madhya Pradesh has sparked controversy after making strong remarks about SC ST MLAs and MPs during a party meeting in Bhopal. Baraiya compared SC ST representatives to dogs while referring to Dr B R Ambedkar’s views on the joint electoral system. He said that after entering this system, their representatives lose their voice and power, and cannot even speak freely. He also said that tribals should not become Hindus and should follow the Sarna religion. According to him, this could open a new path for the liberation of tribal communities. Baraiya made these comments at a meeting of the Congress Declaration 2 Drafting Committee held at Samanvay Bhawan in Bhopal on January 13. Senior Congress leaders, including former chief minister Digvijaya Singh and several MLAs, were present on the stage during the event. Read sequentially, what Baraiya said
MLA Phool Singh Baraiya said – Bhopal Declaration-1 came in 2002. Now Declaration-2 is coming. It is possible that this too may not be able to solve our problems in the future. We will have to go to the root of where the problem lies? I believe that the solution to the problem lies with Baba Saheb Ambedkar. On November 25, 1949, Baba Saheb had said in the Constituent Assembly that I have two concerns. One is whether the constitution provides for the country to go up, or for caste and religion to go up? If the country remains above all, then all problems will be solved. But, if caste and religion supersede the country, then no problem will find a solution. Today, feel whether the country is above or caste and religion? Today, caste and religion are above the country. Equality will be achieved when the country is above religion
Baraiya said – Babasaheb Ambedkar further says that we are entering a life where political equality will be only in name, but not social and economic. Social and economic equality will be achieved when the country is above and caste-religion is below. Today, we are struggling with social and economic inequality. Our Misfortune is Due to the Joint Electorate
The Congress MLA further said- Babasaheb Ambedkar later regretted greatly, wishing that separate electorates existed today. Where did our misfortune occur? We entered the Joint Electorate due to circumstances. If there were separate electorates, today we would be asking why our MLAs and MPs don’t speak up? They don’t speak because they have come from the Joint Electorate. They simply cannot speak. Baraiya said that Babasaheb Ambedkar had said this at that very time. He had advised to give up hope on them. You should place your hopes on educated people. They will study, they will progress. They will do something. We are the ones sitting here today. I believe that if we abolish the Joint Electorate and move to separate electorates, Babasaheb’s dream will move towards fulfillment. When religion is down, then we will get equality
Baraiya said- We will not get social and economic equality right now because religion has gone up. And understand what our position is in religion… It is written about 6743 castes in religion. What is written about Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Minority in it? Minority was formed later, before that it was our own class. It is written about them that they do not have the right to read. If they read, their tongue will be cut. If they listen, molten glass will be poured into their ears. If they see, their eyes will be gouged out, and if they walk, a pot will be hung around their neck because if they get tired, the ground will become dirty. You tell me, can this be social equality? When religion is above, how will it be? When religion comes down, we can get social equality. Bhander MLA Baraiya said – Babasaheb had explained how economic equality would be achieved? He had said that I am giving the path to liberation: when religion becomes dominant, kick that religion and get out. The Scheduled Castes had become civilized, so they have left and will leave, but the problem has arisen of how to get the Tribes out? Jharkhand initiated the religion of tribals
Baraiya said- Jharkhand has initiated the religion of tribals. A bill was introduced in Jharkhand in 2020, where the religion of tribals will become Sarna. This was supported by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2023. We should try to ensure that our tribals do not become Hindus. If tribals become Sarna, then a path to liberation can emerge for them as well. The forests of tribals are being cut. They lack knowledge because tribals are still not civilized. If atrocities are happening, they should understand them. Today, tribals are not even able to understand atrocities. As soon as you come out of religion, your path to liberation will emerge.