Strong Reactions from CM Dr. Mohan Yadav, BJP State President Hemant Khandelwal and Senior Party Women Leaders to Objectionable Statement by Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya;
CANON TIMES, Reporter, Bhopal, January 17, 2026:
Strong political reactions have emerged following an objectionable statement made by Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya regarding women. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, BJP State President and MLA Shri Hemant Khandelwal, and senior women leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party have sharply criticized the statement and demanded strict action.
BJP Mahila Morcha workers staged protests across the state, including in Indore, Bhopal, and Jabalpur. Demonstrations were held against Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Protesters demanded a public apology from Baraiya and his immediate expulsion from the Congress party.
CM Dr. Mohan Yadav’s Statement
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that the statement made by Phool Singh Baraiya was poisonous and aimed at spreading hatred in society. He said the remark exposes the Congress party’s anti-women and anti-Dalit mindset. According to the Chief Minister, such language promotes social discord and is unacceptable in a democratic society.
Dr. Yadav also questioned Rahul Gandhi for sharing a stage with Baraiya in Indore. He asked whether this should be seen as tacit approval of Baraiya’s views. He demanded that Rahul Gandhi immediately expel Baraiya from the Congress party, stating that failure to do so would imply that the Congress leadership lacks respect for women and other sections of society. He added that mere statements are not enough and concrete action is required.
BJP State President Hemant Khandelwal’s Remarks
BJP State President and MLA Shri Hemant Khandelwal said that Rahul Gandhi sharing a platform with a leader who made such shameful remarks clearly reflects the Congress party’s anti-women mentality. He said Baraiya’s statement is a reflection of the Congress ideology and its low regard for women, whom he referred to as “matrushakti.”
He also criticized the silence of Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, stating that it exposes the gap between the Congress party’s words and actions. He said that for Congress, women’s dignity is not a core value but merely a vote bank. Shri Khandelwal demanded that Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi publicly apologize. He added that if they fail to do so, the Congress party will lose any moral right to speak on women’s rights, Dalit rights, or social justice.
Statements by Senior Women Leaders
Minister Sushri Nirmala Bhuria condemned Baraiya’s statement, calling it an insult to women of all communities and an attempt to divide society. She said the BJP government is committed to women’s empowerment, safety, and dignity, while Congress leaders continue to make disgraceful remarks. She demanded Rahul Gandhi expel such leaders immediately.
BJP spokesperson and former minister Smt. Archana Chitnis described the statement as extremely shameful, especially on sensitive issues like crimes and rape against women. She said if the Congress truly believes in slogans like “Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon,” then Priyanka Gandhi should take the lead in opposing leaders like Baraiya.
BJP Mahila Morcha State President Smt. Ashwini Paranjpe said that linking heinous crimes like rape with religious terminology is highly objectionable and an insult to Indian culture and the tradition of respecting women. She said the Congress is distorting cultural values and questioned why no action has been taken against Baraiya so far. She added that the BJP and its Mahila Morcha will not tolerate any insult to women and will continue the struggle from the streets to the legislature.
Statewide Protests
Following the statement, BJP Mahila Morcha workers held protests across Madhya Pradesh and burned effigies of Phool Singh Baraiya. In Bhopal, demonstrations were held at Board Office Square, where protesters demanded his expulsion from the Congress party and a public apology. Similar protests and effigy burnings were carried out in all districts of the state.
BJP leaders said the statement is divisive, against democratic values, and an attack on women’s dignity and social harmony. They reiterated that such remarks have no place in public life and must be met with strict action.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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