Why should I condemn it, asks Gowda on Mulayam's "rape" remark

B D Narayankar reports

        Bangalore, Apr 11 (PTI) Former Prime Minister and JDS
Chief H D Deve Gowda today refused to condemn the
controversial statement of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav
questioning the death penalty for rape.
        "He (Mulayam) has got every right. Every political party
has got their own views. Why should I condemn anybody?
Ultimately, the Supreme Court and President of India are going
to take a decision," Gowda told reporters on the margins of
the release of JDS Lok Sabha Election Manifesto here.
        Yadav has stoked a controversy, questioning the death
penalty for rape, saying "mistakes" by boys happen sometimes,
which has sparked outrage among rival parties and women's
groups.
        Questioning death sentence to three men convicted of two
gangrapes in Mumbai last week, Yadav had asked "should rape
cases be punished with hanging?"
        "Ladke, ladke hain. Galti ho jati hai (Boys are boys.
Mistakes happen sometimes)," he told an election rally in
Moradabad.
        Gowda said capital punishment was an issue pending before
the Supreme Court and it cannot be decided by any one
individual, but ultimately all views will be taken by the
Supreme Court.
        Talking about the rape, Gowda said such crime brings
shame to the country. "What is going on for last two years,
India's image has taken a hit," he said.
        Gowda said the legislation passed by the Parliament also
has not curtailed it or brought down the incidence of
gangrapes and rapes in the country.
        "It is time for all of us to discuss steps to prevent
such heinous act and restore the image of India in the world,"
he said.