Madhya Pradesh minister defends Mulayam, Akhilesh over Badaun rape

Babulal Gaur, Home Minister in the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday defended Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav over the >Badaun rape case.

Calling the Samajwadi Party supremo and Uttar Pradesh’s chief minister as “ bechare (helpless)”, Mr. Gaur said: “What can Mulayam and Akhilesh do (to prevent rapes)?”

Talking to reporters, Mr. Gaur said that “rapes happen when a man loses his mental balance”.

Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday >courted controversy after he told reporters, who sought his comments on the Badaun rape case, to focus on doing their jobs.

Two minor girls were gang raped and hanged from a tree in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district that led to widespread criticism of the state government over crime and violence against women.

On Wednesday, Mulayam Singh snapped at reporters: “I am doing my job, you should do yours.”

“Strict action is being taken (in the case). What else can I say,” he added.

His remarks came after his son told reporters earlier that t >hey should “Google” search the number of rapes happening elsewhere in the country and stop focusing on Uttar Pradesh.