New Delhi/ Uttarpradesh/ Mumbai: On Thursday, Samajwadi Party chief and Third Front’s probable Prime Ministerial candidate Mulayam Singh Yadav made a complete appalling statement while addressing people at a rally in Uttarpradesh, sparking a fresh controversy.
While commenting on the conviction of the three repeated offenders of Mumbai’s Shakti Mill Gang Rape Case, Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Yadav said, “Boys and Girl had differences and when these differences are developed the girl goes and gives a statement that she has been raped. Then the poor men, three of them have been given death sentence.”
“Should rape cases lead to death sentence or hanging?” questions Mulayam Singh Yadav.
He further said, “A boy makes a mistake. Two or Three have been pronounced with death sentence in Mumbai. If we come to power, we will try and change such laws. We will also ensure punishments of those who report false cases.”
This statement of Mulayam Singh Yadav has led to an absolute outrage in the nation as people-at-large; especially women and women activists have strongly condemned this shocker of Mulayam Singh. When asked to step down, Mulayam Singh Yadav, today, said that his remarks should not be debated.
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s comments made at the Moradabad rally that too during the time when the ‘Power of 49’ and ‘Women safety’ issues are being given an importance, have actually disappointed the countrymen.
Politicians from across the Indian political spectrum reacted to this comment made by the SP chief.
In a press conference, Congress Spokesperson Shobha Oza said that they condemn that comment because they have always said they have zero tolerance for rape and women atrocity. She further said, “It is very unfortunate when a leader tries to make rape so insensitive. No leader in this country should speak anything which encourages rape.”
While speaking to media in Mumbai, Aam Aadmi Party leader and a known social activist Medha Patkar said, “Rape is not a small mistake. It cannot be forgiven.”
A statement from BSP said, “How can Mulayam make such comments. The whole nation is against him and he should apologize immediately.”
A complaint was filed with the Election Commission of India and National Commission for Women regarding this shameful comment. According to the information emerging, the National Commission for Women has sent a notice to Mulayam Singh Yadav while the Election Commission of India has asked for the CD of this particular speech made by Mulayam Singh Yadav.
The Samajwadi Party leader continued to defend its chief. Speaking to media, S.P leader Naresh Agrawal said, “The topic of death sentence is a topic to be discussed in the world. Even I am of this opinion that if the whole world the death sentence is stopped then why it is continued in India.”
Akhilesh Yadav, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh said that he did not know the context of Mulayam Singh’s comments. While clarifying the rape remarks Akhilesh Yadav, today said, “SP wants rapists to be punished.”
Although Akhilesh Yadav clarifies the remarks but by the things that Mulayam Singh Yadav has said, it doesn’t seems that they want to punish the rapists.
Abu Aazmi from the Samajwadi Party said, “Women having pre-marital sex should be hanged.” Later while speaking to Headlines Today he said, “He has full sympathy for women. Any good family will not expect their daughter having sex with an outsider.”
People’s anger towards the comments made by Mulayam Singh Yadav was even seen on social networking sites. Senior Journalist Vinita Deshmukh tweeted, “Demolish Mulayam Singh by voting him out; not giving his party a single seat as he thinks rape laws shouldn’t be harsh.”
Abha Singh, a lawyer and an eminent activist tweeted, “Mulayam says rape is a small mistake and will change Anti-rape laws if he comes to power. Women pl don’t vote for his party #crime in UP.”
Kavitha Krishnan another known activist said, “Mulayam’s comment is anti-women. His attempt to tell people that rape is trivial is disturbing.”
Journalist Kamya Chaturvedi told Spectral hues, “I would make sure that people who inspire by then or support should think twice for their own daughters and Barr these pylons parasites permanently. Political isolation is the best punishment for them.”
Now when the matter has steamed up, Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today took a turn from the statements made by him yesterday. In an attempt to cool down the enraging fire among people, Mulayam Singh Yadav today said that he and his party respects women more than anybody else does.
Despite his today’s version what he needs to answer is that: where was his respect for women yesterday? Why did he say against the harsh and appropriate anti-rape law? Why did he make his statements that heavily against the women of this country?
Well, changing his sentences won’t let us forget the disgusting comment he made yesterday. Being a male, I personally condemn the ridiculous comments made by a person like him. India is a democratic country where females and males are given equal treatment. In a country like India that has given birth to great females, anti-women activities need to be stopped and those who commit such activities should be punished by the law.
