Congress MLA Phool Singh Barraiya on Saturday sparked a major political controversy after he claimed that, according to some Hindu scriptures, committing rape grants “teerth phal” (pilgrimage blessings) to the perpetrator.
Phool Singh Barraiya, an MLA from the Bhander Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district, made the remarks in an interview with a media organisation. A video of his comments has gone viral, fuelling the controversy.
Barraiya claimed that the highest number of rapes in India are committed against women from the Scheduled Tribes, the Scheduled Castes, and the Other Backward Classes.
The Congress MLA said that such rapes are committed in accordance with certain Hindu scriptures, wherein it is mentioned that these acts would lead to blessings equivalent to going on a pilgrimage.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav condemned the Congress MLA’s statement, saying, “I hope Rahul Gandhi suspends him (Barraiya) and expels him from the party. I condemn this statement. Being an MLA, Barraiya has a responsibility to avoid such remarks,” he added.