SP, BSP differ on anti-rape law

Two key outside supporters of the UPA government today adopted divergent views on the proposed anti-rape law with the BSP terming it as a "necessity" and the SP opposing it, saying it was prepared on the recommendations of "mentally retarded people".
Ahead of Monday's all-party meeting convened by the government on the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said her party would support the legislation as it was a "necessity".
Asked about the some provisions of the bill facing criticism, she said the contentious issues can be discussed when the bill comes up in Parliament.
BSP's arch rival Samajwadi Party on the other hand rubbished the anti-rape bill saying it will oppose it in Parliament and at the all-party meeting.

"We are opposed to the Bill. It has been framed on the recommendations of some mentally-retarded people," SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav told reporters here.
Yadav made it clear that SP will oppose the Bill at the all-party meeting convened by the government on March 18 to evolve a consensus for its smooth passage.

The anti-rape Ordinance lapses on April 4 and the government is keen on passing the legislation before the Parliament session recess which begins on March 22.
"If the Bill comes to Parliament and there is voting, we will vote against it," Yadav said.
The Union Cabinet yesterday cleared a bill providing for stringent punishment for rape, acid attack, stalking and voyeurism besides reducing the age of consent for sex to 16 years.

The bill, brought against the backdrop of the December 16 Delhi gangrape, provides for minimum jail term of 20 years for rape which may be extended to 'natural life' of the convict in jail or even death if the victim dies or is left in a 'persistent vegetative state'
The bill also provides for lowering the age of consent for sex from 18 to 16 years, one of the contentious provisions which held up the proposed legislation briefly and had to be referred to a Group of Ministers for consensus.
The Ordinance had maintained the consent age as 18 years.

The bill also uses the term 'rape' which will be gender- specific, in contrast to the gender-neutral 'sexual assault' as proposed in the ordinance. This means only men can be booked for the crime.