21 cr people in UP, yet rape cases least, says Mulayam
‘Insensitive’ remark draws flak from Opposition
CM Akhilesh Yadav, with father and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav at an iftaar party, at his official residence in Lucknow Saturday
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Saturday drew flak for saying that the state has the lowest number of such cases in the country despite a population of 21 crore. “You are talking about UP. It has a population of 21 crore. If there is any place which has the lowest number of such (rape) cases, it is UP,” Yadav said replying to queries from reporters in Delhi on the rape and murder of a young woman in Mohanlalganj area of Lucknow.
The remarks by the SP chief were latched on to by the Opposition which said they had exposed the “insensitivity” of the SP government.
The SP chief had earlier also sparked controversy when he questioned the death penalty for rape, saying “Ladke, ladke hain; Galti ho jaati hai (Boys are boys. Mistakes happen sometimes)”.
Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani said it was unfortunate that such remarks had come from a prominent leader like Yadav. “The state government had come to power promising to combat crime but instead it has been rising. It is unfortunate… Law and order is a state subject. I can only say that the state government should ensure that the laws are not restricted to books but are implemented on ground so that the people of the state get some relief,” she said in Amethi.
UPCC president Nirmal Khatri said Yadav’s statement only highlights his insensitivity toward crimes, specially those against women. “Such crimes take place in the SP regime because it gives shelter to those involved in wrong deeds.
“The incidents in Badaun and Mohanlalganj have taken place because of the insensitivity of the government,” he said in Lucknow and alleged that “upright” officials were being harassed and transferred from one district to another.
Congress leader Rashid Alvi said even one such case was shameful.
National Commission for Women member Shamina Shafiq said UP leaders “just have to read newspapers” and they will know the number of rape cases in the state.
Opposition BJP, too, slammed Mulayam. “If we look at national statistics, cases of rape, dowry death and other crimes in Uttar Pradesh are very high as compared to other states,” said BJP spokesman Vijay Pathak.
Senior BSP leader R K Chaudhary said: “Mulayam’s statement is irresponsible and indicates he has taken the case of gangrape and murder in Lucknow very lightly.”
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