Mulayam's Rape Remark: Where Are Jaya Bachchan's Tears?

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New Delhi:Although Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh's remark over rape has come under severe criticism, the silence of former actress and Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan over the matter is conspicuous.

 

Jaya had been very vocal during the protests that followed the death of 'Nirbhaya' last year. She even broke down during a silent march held for the Delhi gang-rape victim and expressed her condolences to the victim's family saying she 'understood their pain.' Why then hasn't she come out and condemned Mulayam's remark when people from every segment of the society has denounced it as "insensitive and shameful” is a question that is being asked by many . 

 

Jaya had also shed tears for the Delhi gang-rape victim during a debate over the matter in the Upper House of Parliament. 

 

And when asked then as to why the incident had stirred her, said, "There are many girls in my family. I feel scared when I think of what the 23-year-old had to go through. Whatever we did was very late. We should collectively apologise to the family and to all women who have gone through such an ordeal. Please don't tarnish the reputation of our country." 

 

Mulayam stirred a hornet's nest on Thursday said that it was wrong to give capital punishment to rapists. 

 

Speaking at a rally in Moradabad, Yadav referred to the Shakti Mills rape cases in Mumbai where death penalty was awarded to three rape accused and defended those who commit such heinous crimes, saying boys err at times. 

 

Questioning the death sentence to the three men, Yadav asked, "Should rape cases be punished with hanging? 

 

We will bring changes in law when we come to power, he further added. 

 

"Ladkon se aisi galtiyan ho jaati hain to iska ye matlab nahin ki phaansi de di jaye (Boys do make such mistakes but that does not mean that they should be sent to the gallows)," he told the gathering. 

 

"Death penalty for rape is unfair...will change rape laws when we come to power," Mulayam Singh had said.