Abu Azmi's son Farhan Azmi has defended his father after outrageous remarks on rape by the former caused a major embarassment to the Samajwadi Party
The SP Maharashtra president's son Farhan Azmi is in poll fray from Mumbai North Central seat along with incumbent Congress' MP Priya Dutt and BJP's Poonam Mahajan.
"The party has always opposed any crime against women and organised demonstrations to this effect. The SP has been demanding and always opposed uncultivated behaviour in public, alcoholism, drug abuse. It was due to this, the statement of party leaders is presented in a distorted manner," Farhan said.
Farhan Azmi came out in his father's defence saying his viewpoint needs to be understood in the Islamic context, as the religion prohibits pre-marital sexual activity.
"He is only trying to say an Islamic point of view. I feel that the entire country is being run by courts, by the constitution of our country and not by everyone who follows Islam. I respect the rule of Islam and I believe that Islamic rule if implemented, we must hang the rapist," he said.
Farhan further noted that consensual sex is a matter which is private between two adults. "I think they are free by the constitution and they are free to do it barring in public domain. Consensual sex cannot be acted upon," he said.
"Islam is against sex before marriage and I think it is an important view with which all the Muslims would agree with but to wrap the entire country under that rule will not be correct," Farhan added.
SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had kicked up a major row by questioning the death sentence awarded to three men who were convicted of two gang rapes at the defunct Shakti Mills in Mumbai last week.
"Ladke, ladke hain. Galti ho jati hai (Boys are boys. Mistakes happen sometimes)," he had told a rally in Moradabad yesterday.
In a bid to contain the damage, a party spokesperson recalled how the SP had supported former bandit Phoolan Devi who had faced utmost atrocities in the society.
"She was made an MP on party ticket. Mulayam Singh has conveyed this message of respect for women and empowerment of women," spokesman Abdul Kadir Chaudhary said.
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