Mulayam Singh Yadav Supports Rape

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has hit the new low in his political career. As ANI reports, the former defence minister of the country has shown solidarity with all the rapists of the country and said that “boys make mistakes sometimes” and that he will change rape laws if he comes to power.

Rape ke liye phaansi dena ghalat hai,ladkon se ghalti ho jaati hai,hum satta mein aaye to kanoon mein badlav karenge-Mulayam Singh Yadav

— ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2014

According to NDTV, while campaigning for his party the Samajwadi Party chief also implied that the photo-journalist who was gang-raped at the abandoned Shakti Mills in Mumbai in August last, went to the police because of “differences with the men.”

It should be noted that Mulayam has made such insensitive and dastardly statements earlier too. In January, 2012, rather than promising tough action against rapists, Mulayam had promised jobs for rape victims.

The rape law has just been made stronger with the provision of death penalty as a punishment. Mulayam’s soft statement comes at a time when despite this provision and increased strength of rape laws the incident of rapes in the country are on a rise.

Coincidentally, riot hit Muzaffarnagar is voting today where numerous incidences of rape where reported.

Meanwhile, AAP Lok Sabha candidate and social activist Medha Patkar too came out in Mulayam’s support. Although she said that rape was not a small mistake to be forgiven but she is against death penalty for the rapists too.

Rape isn’t a small mistake, cant be forgiven. But I am against death penalty too: Medha Patkar (AAP) on Mulayam Singh’s statement

— ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2014

For a person who wishes to become India’s next prime minister, the statement is quite unfortunate. The statement will strengthen the cases such as that of Tehelka employee rape case where AAP has already showed its sympathy towards accused Tarun Tejpal.