Delhi rape victim's father slams Mulayam, Abu Azmi

The December 16, 2012, Delhi gang-rape victim’s father has slammed Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and party leader Abu Azmi for their controversial statements on rape. He sought a public apology from both the leaders.

“I wonder how a leader like Mulayam Singh Yadav can make such a statement. He has put the security of women of India at stake. In Uttar Pradesh (UP), he has completely failed to enforce law and order and the crime rate is rising in the region. He should have thought twice before making such a remark,” he told Deccan Herald.
Citing the post gang-rape protests against the police and the government, the victim’s father said: “All the water cannons and the police baton the youth of this country faced during the protests for justice for my daughter should not go in vain.
There should be a zero tolerance policy against the offenders and the people who provoke such criminals.”

At a rally in UP on Thursday, Mulayam had termed the Mumbai Shakti Mills gang-rape convicts, who were awarded death penalty, as poor fellows. He said, “Boys will be boys and they will often make mistakes, why shall we hang them...”

He also said that once voted to power, he will change the anti-rape law to avert any misuse.

On Friday, party leader from Mumbai, Abu Azmi, also supported Yadav’s statement and said: “Rape is punishable by hanging in Islam. But here, nothing happens to women, only to men. Even the woman is guilty. Any woman, whether married or unmarried, going with a man, with or without consent, should be hanged. Both should be hanged.”

The gang-rape victim’s father said: “After going through such agony in life, I am fighting for women’s security in this country. The media also played a crucial role in the battle. Such statements show the mentality of the leaders, and with such mentality, it is impossible to come to power.”

Criticising Azmi’s statement, he asked him to have full knowledge of his religion.
“First of all India is not an Islamic country, it is a democracy and no religion is above the law here. Before making such a statement citing Islam, Azmi should learn more about his religion as there are a number of maulanas who will condemn his statement,” he added.