JOIN USSamajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said on Thursday that rapists should not be hanged as rape was just a “mistake” by boys, remarks that are certain to raise the hackles of the opposition parties and women’s right activists.
He added that sometimes girls, after having differences with their boyfriends, lodge complaints of rape against them.
Addressing an election rally in Moradabad, he said he would try to get the law, that awards death sentence in rape cases, amended. “Girls befriend boys. When they have differences with the boys, they call it rape,” said Mulayam. “Boys do make mistakes. Should they be hanged for that?” he asked.
Mulayam referred to the awarding of death sentence to three youths who had raped a photojournalist and another girl in Mumbai. “We will change the laws,” said Mulayam. He also said his party would ensure that girls who lodge false complaints were punished. The SP election manifesto too promises to amend the tough anti-rape laws.
Incidentally, the victim in the December 16, 2012 gang-rape case in Delhi belonged to UP.