The SP government in Uttar Pradesh came in for international shame for its response in the Badaun rape and murder case with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appealing for the rejection of the “boys will be boys” attitude.

After party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s “boys will be boys” comment during the Lok Sabha election campaign, senior SP leader Ramgopal Yadav on Tuesday triggered a fresh controversy saying that some incidents are termed rape after relationships between girls and boys come out in the open.

“In many instances, when the relationships between girls and boys come out in open, it is termed as rape. In many places, girls and boys are ready (to marry) but honour killings take place. The most saddening and serious aspect is that such incidents are not stopping. These incidents happen in other places also but are not highlighted,” he said. A cornered Mulayam, for his part, said that the UP government was “not insensitive” and was taking action against the culprits.

“What to do...we are sensitive. We are not insensitive... Strict action is being taken against culprits. You do your work and let us do our work,” he said.

However, the United Nations and the United States had no kind words for the UP government. “In just the last two weeks, we have seen despicable attacks against women and girls around the world – from Nigeria to Pakistan and from California to India.

I was especially appalled by the brutal rape and gruesome murder of two teenaged women in India who had ventured out because they did not have access to a toilet,” Ban said. In an apparent reference to Mulayam’s remarks, Ban was quoted as saying by PTI, “We say no to the dismissive, destructive attitude of ‘Boys will be boys’. Together, we can empower more people to understand that violence against women degrades us all.”

In Washington, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said, “Like so many in India, we were horrified to learn of these violent sexual assaults and murders. Our thoughts are with the victims families.”