Rapists do not deserve death, boys commit mistakes: Mulayam

"If boys and girls have difference, and the girl goes and gives a statement that I have been raped, then the poor fellows are punished," he said.

The comment drew flak across the lines.

Congress leader Shobha Oza said: "Congress condemns the comment. There is zero tolerance for crime against women."

She added there are provisions for action in case a frivolous complaint is filed.

Soon after the statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) flayed Mulayam Singh for his "insensitive and shameful" statement.