Mulayam's rape comment isn't a first: 5 quotes that prove Yadavs are the poster boys of misogyny

After his controversial statement about rape by four persons not being ‘practically’ possible, here’s a look at the other misogynistic statements Mulayam Singh Yadav has made in the past.

A bunch of India politicians can easily be accused of leading the pack of misogynists of India. From dismissing rape to suggesting women who get raped be hanged, Indian politicians have been giving us the creeps at regular intervals.

However, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav happens to have a special talent for churning out the most crass, obnoxious comments about women. He could well be the poster boy of misogyny in India.

In fact, he seems to have trained his son, Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav well too.

Here we list five quotes which make the Yadavs the poster boys of misogyny in India.

Today, Mulayam said that rape by four persons is not ‘practically’ possible. He was speaking at a programme to distribute free e-rickshaws under a state government scheme in Lucknow on Tuesday.

On rape being a ‘mistake’ because ‘boys will be boys’

Back in 2014, Mulayam had opposed capital punishment for rape, saying that ‘boys will be boys… they commit mistakes.’ In so many words, he insinuated that women were responsible for rape, saying ‘First girls develop friendship with boys. They when differences occur, they level rape charges. Boys commit mistakes. Will they be hanged for rape.’

On women attracting catcalls in Parliament

During During the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2010, Mulayam had invited criticism from all quarters with a thoughtless comment saying that Parliament will be filled with women who will attract catcalls if the Bill was passed.

On village women not being attractive enough

In 2012, that rural women will not benefit from the Women’s Reservation Bill because they are not as attractive as those from the affluent class. “Only girls and women from affluent class can go forward…remember this..you (rural women) will not get a chance…Our rural women did not have that much attraction,” he had remarked .

Like father, like son

Mulayam’s son and Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav also made a similarly dismissive comment on women’s safety after the Badaun rape case in.

On being questioned by reporters over the rise in violence against women in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav shot back at the journalists saying, “It’s not as if you faced any danger?"