The controversial remarks were made during a recorded social media interview, portions of which began circulating widely on Friday. In the video, Baraiya is heard claiming that certain religious scriptures suggest that assaulting women from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities could grant spiritual merit equivalent to undertaking a pilgrimage. His comments have drawn sharp criticism for appearing to justify sexual violence and for making caste-based assertions.
In the video, Baraiya states that most rape cases in India occur among SC, ST and Most Other Backward Classes (MOBC). He then advances a theory suggesting that sexual violence stems from distorted interpretations of religious teachings. He claims that if a person is unable to visit a pilgrimage site, scriptures allegedly offer “alternative options” involving sexual relations with women of specific castes to attain spiritual rewards.
Baraiya further makes remarks questioning physical appearance across communities and suggests that crimes occur under the belief that such acts confer religious merit. He also refers to sexual assaults against infants and young children, asserting that perpetrators are driven by a misguided belief system rather than consent or physical factors. These statements have been widely described as offensive, inflammatory and deeply insensitive.
Political reactions were swift. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded immediate action against the MLA, accusing him of promoting dangerous narratives that trivialise sexual violence and insult marginalised communities. Several women’s rights activists and Dalit organisations also condemned the remarks, calling for legal scrutiny and accountability.
Within the Congress, the comments have caused embarrassment. While the party has not issued a detailed official response at the time of reporting, senior leaders privately acknowledged that the statements were indefensible and contrary to the party’s stated positions on gender justice and social equality. Sources indicated that the leadership may seek an explanation from Baraiya.
Legal experts noted that any public statement appearing to justify or rationalise sexual violence could invite criminal and constitutional scrutiny, especially under laws related to hate speech and offences against women and SC/ST communities.
The incident has reignited debate over the responsibility of elected representatives in public discourse, particularly on issues of gender violence and caste. As the video continues to circulate, pressure is mounting on political parties to act decisively to distance themselves from rhetoric that risks normalising violence and reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
