Mulayam's view on rape law is abhorrent: BJP

BJP also asked Congress to make its stand clear on the issue as one of its supporting party chief has made this statement

Dubbing as "abhorrent and shocking" SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's view on rape laws, BJP today said it gives a "very wrong message" in a state where crime against women is not adequately reported.

BJP also asked the Congress to make its stand clear on the issue as one of its supporting party chief has made this statement.

"BJP strongly condemns the statement made by Yadav on women, on rape-related mater and on his suggestion that if by chance he becomes part of the government in 2014, he would make sure that the rape law would be amended," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said here.

Mulayam Singh's view is absolutely abhorrent and shocking, she added.

In a controversial statement, the SP leader had yesterday questioned the death penalty for rape, saying "mistakes" by boys happen sometime.

Taking on Congress, she said, "Congress should come out on this. Are they supporting Mulayam Singh Yadav?"

"Where is the Congress party on this matter? she asked and added, "After all a friendly party, SP and its chief has spoken like this, where are you all?"

Venting her ire at the National Commission for Women and Congress, Sitharaman said, "NCW, which jumps in, of late on matters which do not have very serious implication, is remaining silent."

"BJP demands that the country stand up against this kind of oppressive statement being made by a party which is in power, which gives a very negative message in a country which is struggling to come out of situation that the women need more protection and empowerment."

Attacking the SP government in Uttar Pradesh, she said, "At a time when his government led by his son Akhilesh Yadav is failing repeatedly to protect women in UP, chief of that party and a former Union Minister says that he would amend the law to dilute the seriousness is shocking."

She said even to suggest that women, who lodge false complaints, would be punished gives a very very wrong message in a state where crimes against women, violence against women are not adequately reported.

Recalling the December 16 gangrape incident, she said, "The entire country stood up to what was happening... Justice Verma Committee submitted a report and law was amended and today we are waiting to see the impact of such an amended law so that women will be far more empowered and they will feel far more secure in the country."

Referring to the tandoor murder case in which Congress leader Sushil Sharma was involved, she charged that there are many cases against women in which Congress workers are involved including the murder of a youth Congress leader in Latur.