Overview
- In a widely shared interview clip, Phool Singh Baraiya says a man seeing a “very beautiful” woman can be distracted and “rape can happen.”
- He invokes what he calls the Rudrayamal Tantra to claim intercourse with women of certain castes brings “teerth phal,” though he could not cite a specific, verifiable text when questioned.
- The BJP circulated the video and demanded his ouster, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and spokesperson Sambit Patra condemning the statements.
- State Congress president Jitu Patwari said rape cannot be justified or tied to caste or religion, called the remarks unacceptable, and said the party has sought clarification.
- Baraiya defended his comments as misunderstood and based on personal research, has not been expelled, and the episode revived scrutiny of his past controversial statements.