In this news report, India Today covers the massive controversy surrounding Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya from Madhya Pradesh. Baraiya has sparked widespread outrage after a video surfaced where he allegedly linked the act of rape to religious scriptures. He claimed that certain texts suggest that if a person cannot visit a pilgrimage site, they can rape women from Dalit or tribal communities to receive the same ‘spiritual benefits.’ The MLA further stated, ‘Because religious scriptures provide such instructions,’ while attempting to explain why rapes occur against infants and marginalized women. The report highlights the ‘disgusting’ nature of these remarks, noting that they come at a time when Rahul Gandhi is visiting Indore. While the BJP has slammed the comments as shameful, the Congress party has reportedly attempted to distance itself from the controversy to maintain focus on Gandhi’s visit. The programme explores the political fallout and the demand for action against the MLA for his highly disturbing and regressive statements.
