Asked about Uttar Pradesh rapes, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav says, 'But you're safe'

KANPUR: Questioned by reporters over the inexcusable rise in violence against women in Uttar Pradesh, an edgy Akhilesh Yadav on Friday shot back at the journalists, "Aapko toh khatra nahin hua? (it's not as if you faced any danger?)" The chief minister's insensitive counter-question left most mediapersons stunned.

Akhilesh was in Kanpur on personal work when city reporters buttonholed him over the alarming rise in rape cases in the state, apart from an abysmal slide in the rule of law.

There have been four rapes in the last two days in UP, beginning with the sexual assault and murder of two dalit teenagers in Badaun, followed by rape of another dalit teenage girl in Azamgarh. On Friday, a fourth girl was raped in Sharawasti.

Last month, Akhilesh's father and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had commented on the issue of rape, "Boys will be boys, why hang rapists?"

Addressing a rally in Moradabad in April, Mulayam had said, "Ladkiyan pehle dosti karti hain. Ladke-ladki mein matbhed ho jata hai. Matbhed hone key baad usey rape ka naam dey deti hain. Ladko sey galti ho jati hai. Kya rape case mein phansi di jayegi? (First, girls and boys become friends. Then, when differences occur between them, the girls accuse boys of rape. Boys may make mistakes, but should they be hanged for it?)"

While Akhilesh announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the raped teenagers, former UP chief minister and BSP leader Mayawati demanded a CBI probe and resignation of Akhilesh as CM.

Speaking to reporters, Mayawati said she has been asking governor BL Joshi to impose President's rule in the state. "But our demands haven't been met," she said. The BSP chief threatened to take strict steps in the coming months if the situation does not improve.