In remarks that sparked outrage on Thursday, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav opposed capital punishment for rape, saying ?ladke, ladke hain… galti ho jati hai (boys are boys… they make mistakes).?
Addressing a rally in Moradabad, he said, ?Ladkiyan pehle dosti karti hain. Ladke-ladki mein matbhed ho jata hai. Matbhed hone key baad usey rape ka naam dey deti hain. Ladko sey galti ho jati hai. Kya rape case mein phasi di jayegi? (First girls develop friendship with boys. When they have differences, they level rape charges. Boys make mistakes. Will you hang them for rape).?
Mulayam said his government would try to change the recently amended anti-rape law. ?Those who level false allegations will also be punished… In Mumbai also, the rape accused have been sentenced to be hanged,? he said, referring to the Shakti Mills case.
Earlier too, Mulayam had criticised the anti-rape law. In its poll manifesto also, the SP has promised to check the misuse of stringent measures in the anti-rape law.
Meanwhile, Mulayam also said it would be unfortunate if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister as he could not protect the honour of women during the Gujarat riots.
In a guarded reaction, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said, ?It is an era of (TV) channels, SMSes and mobiles. I have not seen the news. I cannot comment on the statement as I am not aware in what context it was said. You will air something and action will be taken against me also. For heinous and sensitive crimes, the whole country is of the opinion that harsh punishment should be given.?