Telangana Congress disowns minister's marriage remark in POCSO case against Bandi Bhagirath
Synopsis
A Telangana Congress minister's suggestion that marriage could settle a POCSO case against a Union minister's son has forced the party into damage control — with the TPCC chief publicly rejecting community mediation, caste-based compromise, and any narrative of consent involving a 17-year-old.
Key Takeaways
TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud on 12 May distanced the Congress party from remarks by Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on a POCSO Act case.
Minister Prabhakar had suggested community elders explore a marriage arrangement between the accused and the minor victim to settle the matter.
The accused, Bandi Bhagirath , is the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar ; the victim is a 17-year-old minor girl .
Congress stated that under the POCSO Act , a minor cannot legally consent to sexual activity, making any narrative of consent or social compromise legally untenable.
The party also rejected attempts to introduce a caste narrative and called out the BJP for allegedly diluting the seriousness of the allegations.
The ruling Indian National Congress (INC) in Telangana on Tuesday, 12 May publicly distanced itself from remarks made by a state cabinet minister who suggested that marriage could be a way to resolve a POCSO Act case registered against Bandi Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar. The distancing came through a formal statement by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud, who made clear that the minister's remarks were entirely personal and did not reflect the party's or the government's official position.
What the Minister Said
Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar had reportedly suggested that since both the accused and the victim belong to the same community, community elders should intervene and explore solutions — including the possibility of a marriage between Bandi Bhagirath and the 17-year-old minor girl he allegedly assaulted. The remarks drew immediate criticism and prompted the TPCC to issue a clarification.
Congress Party's Official Stand
In his statement, Mahesh Kumar Goud was unequivocal.
Point of View
It potentially undermines an active prosecution. What is striking is that the clarification had to come at all: it signals the depth of caste-community pressure operating beneath the surface of this case. The BJP's attempt to frame the matter around caste victimhood, and the Congress minister's instinct toward community mediation, both reveal how institutional child-protection frameworks are routinely subordinated to social calculus in Indian politics. The TPCC statement is strong on rhetoric; the real test is whether the Telangana government ensures the investigation proceeds without political interference.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the POCSO case against Bandi Bhagirath?
A POCSO Act case has been registered against Bandi Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old minor girl. The case involves a 25-year-old accused and a minor complainant who, along with her mother, filed a complaint at a police station.
What did Minister Ponnam Prabhakar say that triggered the controversy?
Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reportedly suggested that since both the accused and the victim belong to the same community, elders should intervene and consider a marriage arrangement between the two as a way to settle the matter. The Congress party has clarified these were entirely his personal views.
Why did the Telangana Congress distance itself from the minister's remarks?
The TPCC stated that such remarks do not represent the official stand of the Congress party or the Telangana government. The party reiterated that under the POCSO Act, a minor cannot legally consent to sexual activity, making any community or marriage-based resolution legally untenable and morally unacceptable.
What is the Congress party's stand on the POCSO case?
The Congress party has stated that firm legal action must be taken against the accused and that no individual, community group, or caste consideration can override laws protecting minors. It has rejected any narrative based on consent, relationship, or social compromise in this case.
How has the BJP responded to the case?
According to the TPCC statement, the BJP and Bandi Sanjay Kumar have attempted to introduce a caste narrative and portray themselves as victims. The Congress has called this ironic given the BJP's recent campaign slogans around women's safety and 'Nari Shakti', and urged the party to introspect before politicising the matter.
