Madhya Pradesh MLA Sparks Outrage Over Linking Rape to 'Beauty' and Religious Scriptures
Image Source: Internet
{ "title": "Madhya Pradesh MLA Sparks Outrage Over Linking Rape to 'Beauty' and Religious Scriptures", "article": "A controversy has erupted in Madhya Pradesh after Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya linked sexual violence to a woman's beauty, suggesting that religious scriptures promote assault on marginalized women as a form of 'reward'. In an interview, Baraiya claimed that most rapes in India are committed against Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Most Backward Classes, and that this is because their religious texts contain instructions that lead to such crimes. According to Baraiya, the theory of rape is that a man's brain becomes disturbed if he sees a beautiful woman, leading to a potential assault. He also claimed that certain religious scriptures state that having sexual relations with women from these castes yields the same reward as going on a pilgrimage. However, when asked to point out the specific scripture, Baraiya interpreted a Sanskrit verse, which he claimed supports his argument. His remarks have triggered a massive controversy, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav strongly condemning Baraiya and calling for action against him. The Congress party has distanced itself from Baraiya's comments, with party president Jitu Patwari saying that the party does not agree with such statements. In a surprising U-turn, Baraiya later claimed that the statement was not his own, but rather a quote from a book, and that he did not agree with it. The controversy has raised questions about the responsibility of public figures to be mindful of their words and the impact they can have on society. The incident has also sparked a debate about the role of religion in promoting social justice and equality."
