Opposition takes strong exception to Mulayam's save rapists comment

Opposition parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday took strong exception to comments made by Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh on amending laws for rapists.

BJP leader Smriti Irani said that while Mulayam Singh was an elder, she would raise her voice aginst him in any forum.

"I would like to politely tell him that women like me would definitely raise our voices against this. We will not let him use the Constitution to help bring such amendments."

"It is very unfortunate when leaders talk in such an insensitive manner about grave issues. One should abstain from handling heinous crimes in such a loose manner. Rape is a heinous crime and there should never be any leniency shown towards rapists. Mulayam Singh's statement is indicative of a mindset of a male dominant society," said Congress leader Shobha Oza.

Jayant Chaudhary of the RLD said: "He has made such comments in order to save his people in the party which is filled with such criminals. I believe his statements will hurt the sentiments of the people and it is something done in order to scare the people."

Yadav on Thursday said it was wrong to give capital punishment to rapists involved in the gang rape of two persons in Mumbai in August and September of last year, adding that boys make mistakes at times.

Speaking at a rally here, Yadav questioned the need for a court of the land to hand down capital punishment to the three men involved in the two crimes.

"We will bring changes in the law when we come to power," Yadav said.