SP Leader ST Hasan Points to Alcohol and Internet as Primary Causes of Rape Cases
Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan has voiced strong disagreement with recent controversial remarks made by Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya regarding the reasons behind rape incidents. Speaking to ANI, Hasan identified alcohol consumption as the major driver of such crimes. He called for the implementation of the strictest possible laws to address this issue.
Demand for Death Penalty and Public Execution
Hasan demanded the death penalty for rape culprits. He stated these offenders should be shot at public squares, known as "chauraha" in Hindi. "The main reason behind this is alcohol," Hasan told ANI. "After alcohol consumption, a man forgets to differentiate between his wife and daughter. We have seen so many examples of this. We need strict laws to punish rapists. They should be shot at 'chauraha'."
Internet Vulgarity Cited as Contributing Factor
The SP leader also claimed vulgar content on the internet significantly contributes to the problem. He argued such material gives a "testosterone boost" to young men. This boost makes it difficult for them to control their sexual desires. "I think the internet is a big reason behind this," Hasan added. "The vulgarity on the internet gives a testosterone boost to young men, which makes them unable to control their sexual desires."
Congress MLA Baraiya Issues Clarification on His Remarks
Hasan made these comments in response to alleged statements by Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya about the causes of rape cases. Meanwhile, Baraiya issued a clarification through a self-made video shared on Facebook. He stated the statement attributed to him was not his own.
Baraiya explained he had only quoted a statement by Hari Mohan Jha, a former Head of the Philosophy Department in Bihar. He used this quote for reference in a particular context. The Congress MLA emphasized he does not personally agree with or endorse the statement. "Greetings. The statement for which allegations are being made against me is not my own," Baraiya said. "That statement was written by Hari Mohan Jha, who was the Head of the Philosophy Department in Bihar, and I quoted it in a particular context. I do not personally agree with this statement, nor do I support it, but I quoted it only as a reference."
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Criticizes Inappropriate Statements
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also criticized Baraiya's remarks. Chouhan stressed such inappropriate statements should never be made. He emphasized daughters should not be divided along caste or community lines. The Union Minister described daughters as goddesses in Indian tradition.
"Daughters are like goddesses to me," Chouhan told reporters on Saturday. "We cannot divide daughters on the basis of caste or community. In our tradition, it is believed that daughters are the embodiment of Maa Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. So, whether it is a leader or any other person, daughters belong to every caste and community--how much will we divide society, will we divide daughters too? Such inappropriate remarks should never be made."
The ongoing debate highlights differing political perspectives on addressing the sensitive issue of sexual violence in India. Leaders across parties are weighing in with their views on causes and solutions.
