#BackingRapists, Mulayam Singh questions the new anti-rape legislation. Is this a new low in Indian politics? pic.twitter.com/vHT1n1Ca6b — TIMES NOW (@timesnow) April 10, 2014

(With inputs from PTI)

NEW DELHI: Samjawadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday opposed the new anti-rape law and said that his party would change the law that entails death for rape.Addressing a rally in Moradabad, Mulayam said, "rape accused should not be hanged. Men make mistakes."The SP chief further said he will support provision for legal action against those who misuse the rape act.Citing the recent example of a court sentencing three men found guilty of gang-raping two women in the abandoned Shakti Mills in Mumbai last year, he said there was a need to change the new rape law which provides for death sentence to repeat rape offenders."Efforts will be made to change such a law, so that those misusing it are punished. Those filing false reports will also be taken to task," he said.Mulayam said boys and girls fall in love but due to differences they fall apart later on. "When their friendship ends, the girl complains she has been raped," he said, stressing the need for changes in the anti-rape law.Mulayam's comments evoked strong reactions with other parties slamming him for his insensitive comments."We condemn Mulayam Singh’s statement. There should be zero tolerance for rape and crime against women," the Congress said.Slamming Mulayam's statement, Kiran Bedi said, "This statement is not just against women, it is against the society. The should be punished with no votes."