(Image source from: Does young India need politicians like Mulayam Singh?})
Over the years, the most under-developed states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Orissa have made progress save for Indian's largest state, Uttar Pradesh and Mulayam Singh's controversial pro-rapist statement tells us exactly why.
“Should rape cases be punished with hanging? They are boys, they make mistakes. We will try and change such laws” - Mulayam Singh said during his Moradabad campaign, a statement that not only drew strong criticisms from political parties, social activists and women, but also gave the world a full view of Mulayam's myopic mentality.
Call him pro-boys, parochial or whatever you may, it's not hard to qualify the Samjawadi Party supremo as a misogynist. But then, modern India has never been short of such parochial stands.
In the past, we have had men like Pramod Muthalik, the controversial right winged-leader, Rajnath Singh, BJP president, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, and the Shiv Senas who have appalled our good sense with their ridiculous views and protests on women and religion alike. Now the big question is can these men deserve to national leaders? We fear not.
Reacting to Mulayam Singh's statement, social activist Kiran Bedi said, “These statements call for total boycott of such a political leader. People should be asked to vote out such people completely.”
“That is exactly the reason when such people in power do not deliver and society as a whole feels insecure. This statement is against the society and it is spreading lawlessness,” she said.
Noted activist on women issues Ranjana Kumari protested, “Women of the country should not vote for his party whether it is in UP or somewhere else and he should be boycotted as a politician because he not only made these comments but also worked to stop women’s reservation bill.”
She appealed the Election Commission to recognize this offense and lodge an FIR against Mulayam Singh for “calling rape a small mistake”.
Former Chairman of National Commission for Women Poornima Advani said, “Public apology is the least. The Election Commission should take up this matter. This is a negative and useless election stunt which is going to hit him hard. And, I am sure he will be voted out.”
What do you think India? Do netas like Mulayam Singh deserve a chance? Let us know your minds here.
AW: Suchorita Choudhury
