Lalu pitches for death penalty provision in anti-rape laws

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Thursday met the family of Delhi gang-rape victim at their native village where he made a strong pitch for strict anti-rape laws with provision for capital punishment.

"Like in Arab countries, strict laws need to be made with provision for capital punishment," Yadav told reporters.

Prasad, however, did not agree with Union Minister Shashi Tharoor's suggestion that the proposed anti-rape law be named after the 23-year-old paramedical student who died after the beastly attack on her on December 16.

The RJD chief told PTI that his party would strongly demand change in rape laws with a provision for death sentence in barbaric cases like the Delhi incident in the coming budget session of Parliament.

"We will strongly voice our demand for provision of hanging in cases of rape during the next session of Parliament," Prasad said.

Prasad described the victim as a 'brave' girl and said she had left behind some serious questions before society on safety and security of women.

Prasad's visit to Medwar Kala village took everyone including the administration by surprise. Accompanied by former Union minister Jayprakash Narayan Yadav and RJD secretary-general and MP Ramkripal Yadav, he met the girl's family members including her grandfather and brothers.

During the 15 minutes he spent with the family, he told them that "she was the daughter of the country and her death was a loss for everyone".