Mulayam's rape shocker: Who said what?

In a highly insensitive and controversial statement at the time when security of women is a major issue, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav sparked off a controversy by opposing death penalty to rape convicts. "Boys do commit mistakes but giving death penalty is wrong," SP chief said.

Addressing a rally in Moradabad on Thursday, he said, "Ladkiyan pehle dosti karti hain. Ladke-ladki mein matbhed ho jata hai. Matbhed hone key baad usey rape ka naam dey deti hain. Ladko se galti ho jati hai. Kya rape case mein faansi di jayegi?" (First, girls develop friendship with boys. But, when differences occur, they level rape charges. Boys commit mistakes. But should they be hanged for it?).

Also read: Wrong to give death penalty for rape, boys make mistakes: Mulayam Singh Yadav

After the SP chief courted controversy through his statement, people from various social and political corridors condemned him. Here are some of the reactions:-

Shamina Shafiq, Member, National Commission for Women: This is a shameful statement, laws for women have been made after years of struggles. And to stoop down to this level on these laws is unfortunate. It will give an advantage to criminals. And the SP supremo must apologise to women.

Shobha Ojha, President, All India Mahila Congress: No leader should say anything that encourages rape.

Subramanian Swamy, BJP leader: Those who commit mistake are not kids. Swamy also accused Mulayam of doing minority based politics.

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP leader: Mulayam Singh’s government will never come to power. All goons and anti-social elements will roam free, if SP government comes to power.

Medha Patkar, AAP leader: They can't be pardoned, this is a serious offence and often women are blamed, but I'm personally not in favour of death sentence.

However, his son and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav refused to make any comment on his father's controversial statement.

"I won't comment on that. I don't known in what perspective he has said that, it's the generation of TV channels and you don't know how it will be played out. We all want serious action on all the sensitive matters but I don't know in what context he has said this," said Akhilesh.