Courting a major controversy, Uttar Pradesh Minister Totaram Yadav and cabinet member of CM Akhilesh Yadav government, stated that rape takes place with "mutual consent". "There is www.yayyan.org nothing like rape - what happens is with mutual consent," Totaram said at a function in Mainpuri.

"It is the woman who allow men to rape them. Mahilaaon ke saath 'rape' hota hi nahi; aapsi sehmati se mahilaayein rape karwa leti hain (Women are never raped, instead they mutually agree to get raped.),"  Totaram said adding, "A girl initially allows a boy to do everything, but when things become public, she terms it as rape." www.ptcouncil.org

Irked with the statement of Totaram, Samajwadi party started damage-control steps. SP leaders said that the state government had taken cognisance of the statement and assured appropriate action against Yadav. "The party and the government have taken cognisance of the statement and appropriate action will be taken," SP's spokesman www.adprofits.co.uk

said. CM Akhilesh Yadav is tight-lipped on the incident and yet to react to the statement of his colleague Totaram Yadav.