‘Internet Gives Testosterone Boost, Alcohol Erases Sense’: SP Leader’s Remark On Rape Sparks Row | India News

Last Updated:January 18, 2026, 10:45 IST

Phool Singh Baraiya’s remarks on rape sparked outrage; ST Hasan blamed internet and alcohol, calling for strict punishment.

Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan. (ANI)

After Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya triggered a political storm with his remarks, Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan weighed in, blaming the influence of the internet and alcohol for sexual crimes.

Reacting to Baraiya’s controversial statement, Hasan said vulgar content on the internet gives a “testosterone boost” to young men, leaving them unable to control their sexual desires. He alleged that this leads to crimes when women or girls come into contact with them.

He further claimed that alcohol was a major factor, saying that after consuming alcohol, a man forgets the difference between his wife and daughter, citing several such instances. Calling for strict punishment, Hasan said rapists should be shot at a “chauraha.”

“I think the internet is a big reason behind this. The vulgarity on the internet gives a testosterone boost to young men, which makes them unable to control their sexual desires. During this, when a woman or a girl comes around them, she is raped. The main reason behind this is alcohol. 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 on a ‘chauraha’,” he said.

This comes after Baraiya from Bhander in Madhya Pradesh claimed that most rapes in India occur in the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities.

He further went on to explain his rape theory behind the statement and stated that if a person sees an “extremely beautiful woman” while travelling, their mind may get distracted, leading to rape.

“Who are the victims of rape in India? Mostly women belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and the OBCs. The theory of rape is that if a man, regardless of his mental state, is walking down the road and sees a beautiful girl, he can get distracted and rape a woman,” the Congress MLA from Bhander said.

The Bhander MLA further claimed that rape is often committed by groups rather than individuals and shockingly referred to cases involving infants, asserting that such crimes stem from a “mindset” fuelled by the beliefs written in religious texts of Dalits.

The BJP hit out at the Congress MLA following his remarks and termed the statement as “shameful and shocking”.

Taking to X, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared Baraiya’s photo with Rahul gandhi and wrote, “The Congress MLA who made the most despicable comments on women, Hindu Astha and SC ST women is with Rahul Gandhi being patronised by him. So, sanction for his comments comes from the top.”

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