Phool Singh Baraiya faces backlash for statement on SC-ST women:Congress distances itself, patwari said clarification sought; Hindu organisations announce

Congress has taken a strong stance on the recent statement by MLA Phool Singh Baraiya from Datia’s Bhander seat, clarifying that a criminal who rapes women has no caste or religion and must be strictly punished under the law. Citing NCRB data, the party highlighted that Madhya Pradesh reports an average of 22 rape cases daily, reflecting a serious law-and-order failure. Congress urged society and citizens to actively ensure the safety of women. The party clarified that MLA Phool Singh Baraiya’s statement is his personal opinion and does not reflect Congress’s view. The party has sought clarification from Baraiya on the matter. Opposition mounts against MLA Pushpendra Mishra, state president of the Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Samaj, criticized Phool Singh Baraiya’s statement as shameless, ill-conceived, and socially divisive. He said Baraiya has previously made indecent remarks about various communities and added that such a person has no right to live in society or engage in politics. Mishra demanded Baraiya clarify which religious scripture and chapter claim that cohabiting with women of a particular caste yields the fruit of pilgrimage, warning that if he does not apologise publicly, effigies will be burnt across multiple locations. Brahmin Society – ‘Congress should immediately expel Baraiya’
The Brahmin society has also targeted the Congress leadership. They said that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi should take immediate action against such a person. If the party remains silent, this silence will be considered support, and Congress will have to bear its political consequences. Leaders condemn MLA’s statement, demads public apology Chandrashekhar Tiwari, President of Hindu Utsav Samiti and Sanskriti Bachao Manch, called Baraiya’s statement a reflection of a depraved mentality. He emphasised that in Sanatan Dharma, women are respected and worshipped, and nowhere in the Vedas or Puranas is it written that raping SC-ST women grants salvation or the fruit of pilgrimage. Tiwari alleged that such remarks aim to divide society by caste and defame Sanatan Dharma. Both organisations have demanded a public apology and warned of widespread protests if it is not issued.