Under fire for rape remark, Mulayam Singh Yadav blames media; EC seeks speech CD

New Delhi/Lucknow: The National Commission for Women on Friday issued a notice to Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav for his remarks on rape even as he tried to wriggle out of the controversy by blaming the media for distorting facts.

Yet, there was no apology for his remarks with the SP supremo sticking to his earlier stand seeking an amendment to the country’s rape laws.

In a rally at Sambhal on Friday he said, “I firmly believe that rapists should be sternly punished but innocent people should not be framed in rape charges. My statement has been misquoted by the media and that is why there is hue and cry over it.”

He further said, “I am not saying anything wrong. Those who forcibly rape, they should get punishment but the innocent should not be punished and there should be no capital punishment. The entire world is debating capital punishment.”

The Election Commission also stepped in after the furor over Mr Yadav’s statement and UP chief electoral officer Umesh Sinha, on Friday, said, “The Election Commission has asked for the CD of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s speech in Moradabad. We will be examining the contents of the speech before taking any action against the SP supremo.”

Mr Yadav also drew flak for his remarks from the Congress and the BJP, which said he should immediately apologise and withdraw his words.