MP Congress MLA Withdraws Controversial ‘Rape Theory’ Remarks After Outrage

-Bhopal: A day after the ‘rape theory’ linking sexual assaults on women belonging to three backward communities to religious scriptures sparked outrage, Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh Phool Singh Bharaiya withdrew his remarks on Sunday, saying, “I do not agree with it.”

In his video statement, the MP said that he made these statements by quoting an academic in a different context.

He did not confirm his statement.

“The (controversial) statement does not belong to me. I made these statements by quoting an academic in a different context. I do not agree with it. I do not appreciate it either,” he said.

His statements came in the wake of harsh criticism he received from all quarters for his statements citing bizarre reasons for rape of women, especially women belonging to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and other backward caste (OBC) groups.

In a recent interview with a media outlet, the MLA had accused the beauty of a woman of being a rape victim.

He had also said that a religious scripture commanding sexual intercourse with women from three backward communities to gain religious merit without going on pilgrimage contributed to the rape of women in these communities.

Even as the Congress distanced itself from his statement, senior leaders of the BJP, including chief minister Mohan Yadav, condemned his remarks, calling them a ‘perverted mentality’.

The Congress leadership also strongly disapproved of his statement, which led him to retract his remarks, sources said.