Mulayam Singh Yadav#Controversies

Mulayam Singh Yadav was born to Murti Devi and Sughar Singh Yadav on 22 November 1939 in Saifai village, Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, India.{{cite web |title=Detailed Profile: Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav |publisher=Government of India |url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/mulayam-singh-yadav |access-date=4 October 2013}}{{cite news |title=Mulayam Singh Yadav's Mother passes away|newspaper=The Times of India |date=26 March 2007 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mulayam-singhs-mother-passes-away/articleshow/1810606.cms}} Akhilesh Yadav is his only son from his first marriage to Malti Devi.

Yadav paternally belonged to Itoli village, Jasrana Block, Firozabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India.{{Cite web |last=पोरवाल |first=कृष्णा |date=2022-10-05 |title=सैफई में जन्मे मुलायम सिंह यादव का इस गांव से गहरा संबंध, परिजन कर रहे हैं लंबी उम्र की कामना |url=https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/firozabad-worship-in-mulayam-singh-yadav-ancestral-village-for-his-good-health-ann-2231480 |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=www.abplive.com |language=hi}}{{Cite web |title=Mulayam Singh Yadav Death: सैफई में जन्मे मुलायम का इस गांव से था गहरा नाता, भाभी ने बताया-मक्के की रोटी और चना का साग करते थे बहुत पसंद |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/up-uttarakhand/uttar-pradesh/mulayam-singh-health-update-netaji-native-village-itoli-firozabad-saifai-gurugram-puja-path-for-long-life-pcup/1382435 |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Zee News |language=hi}}

Yadav earned three degrees in political science — a B.A. from Karm Kshetra Post Graduate College in Etawah, a B.T. from A. K. College in Shikohabad, and an M.A. from B. R. College, Agra University.

Before joining politics, Yadav was engaged in teaching profession. In 1963, he was a schoolmaster{{Cite web |date=10 October 2022 |title=यूपी के पूर्व सीएम मुलायम सिंह यादव का निधन, जानिए कितने पढ़े-लिखे थे नेताजी |url=https://www.abplive.com/education/up-former-cm-mulayam-singh-yadav-passed-away-know-his-education-qualification-2234481 |access-date=19 March 2023 |website=www.abplive.com |language=hi}} at Jain Inter-College in Karhal, Mainpuri. In 1974, he was promoted to a lecturer after attaining his master's degree.{{Cite web|title=From Mulayam Yadav to Mayawati: Teachers who turned politicians|url=https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/050917/from-mulayam-yadav-to-mayawati-teachers-who-turned-politicians.html|access-date=12 October 2022|website=The Asian Age|date=5 September 2017 |language=en}}{{Cite news|title=Former students of UP's Jain Inter-College recall lessons by Netaji|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/former-students-of-ups-jain-inter-college-recall-lessons-by-netaji/articleshow/94777548.cms|access-date=12 October 2022|website=The Times of India|date=11 October 2022 |language=en}}

He started his political career as a student leader and became president of the students’ union of his college. Groomed by leaders such as Ram Manohar Lohia, Raj Narain, Anantram Jaiswal and Chandra Shekhar, Yadav was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh in 1967 from Jaswantnagar on a ticket of Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP), the party founded by Anantram Jaiswal and George Fernandes.{{Cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Ram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AMCLQgAACAAJ|title=Mulayam Singh: A Political Biography|last2=Yadav|first2=Anshuman|date=1998|publisher=Konark Publishers|isbn=978-81-220-0530-1|pages=13–14}} In 1975, during Indira Gandhi's imposition of the Emergency, Yadav was arrested and detained for 19 months.{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/everybodys-brother-akhilesh-yadav|title=Akhilesh Yadav in the family business|last=Dixit|first=Neha|website=The Caravan|access-date=22 May 2019}}

He first became a state minister in 1977. Later, in 1980, he became the president of the Lok Dal (People's Party) in Uttar Pradesh, which became a part of the Janata Dal (People's Party) afterwards. In 1982, he was elected leader of the opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council and held that post until 1985. When the Lok Dal party split, Yadav launched the Krantikari Morcha party.{{cite book|title=Business Standard Political Profiles of Cabals and Kings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qT7QvviGoJsC&pg=PA47|year=2009|publisher=Business Standard Books|isbn=978-81-905735-4-2|page=47}}

Yadav first became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1989.{{Cite web|title=Mulayam Singh Yadav Biography in Hindi: About Family, Political life, Age, Photos, Videos|url=https://www.patrika.com/topic/mulayam-singh-yadav/|access-date=18 November 2020|website=Patrika News|language=hi}}

In 1990, a large body of Sangh Parivar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad supporters reached Ayodhya and attempted to attack the 16th-century Babri mosque. They organised a march towards the mosque in an attempt to occupy the land for a grand temple for Hindu god Rama. This resulted in a pitched battle with the paramilitary forces. Yadav allowed police to use live rounds in an attempt at crowd control. The state government's official records report that at least 17 marching religious volunteers, or kar sevaks were killed.{{cite news|url=https://currentaffairsnight.blogspot.com/2019/11/top-5-current-affairs-related-to.html?m=1|title=Ayodhya verdict|last=Subudhi|first=Bibek Krushna|date=12 November 2019|newspaper=Current affairs night|access-date=12 November 2019}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=https://www.currentaffairsnight.com/2019/11/top-5-current-affairs-related-to.html?m=1|title=Ayodhya verdict|last=Subudhi|first=Bibek Krishna|date=12 November 2019|website=www.currentaffairsnight.com|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006082623/https://www.currentaffairsnight.com/2019/11/top-5-current-affairs-related-to.html?m=1|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/12/10/ayodhya-the-battle-for-indias-soul-the-complete-story/ |title=Ayodhya, the Battle for India's Soul: The Complete Story – India Real Time – WSJ |website=Blogs.wsj.com |date=10 December 2012 |access-date=24 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://vhp.org/shriram-janmabhumi-mukti-andolan/mov1-shriram-janmabhumi-mukti-andolan-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722175619/http://vhp.org/shriram-janmabhumi-mukti-andolan/mov1-shriram-janmabhumi-mukti-andolan-2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 July 2014 |title=Shriram Janmabhumi Mukti Andolan 2 | Vishva Hindu Parishad | Official Website |website=vhp.org |access-date=24 May 2017}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PebdkPS0fhMC&dq=karseva+firing&pg=PT71 |title=Portraits from Ayodhya |author=Scharada Dubey |year=2012 |page=71 |publisher=Tranquebar Press |isbn=9789381626214 |access-date=24 May 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web |title=In Yogi Adityanath's Ram Temple Speech, A Veiled Swipe At Mulayam Yadav |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ayodhya-pran-pratistha-ram-temple-yogi-adityanath-in-yogi-adityanaths-ram-temple-speech-a-veiled-swipe-at-mulayam-yadav-4910287 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=NDTV.com}}

The BJP withdrew its support to the V. P. Singh ministry, necessitating fresh elections. The BJP substantially increased its tally in the union parliament, as well as winning a majority in the Uttar Pradesh assembly.{{cite book |last=Guha |first=Ramachandra |title=India After Gandhi |year=2007 |publisher=MacMillan |pages=633–659}}

After the collapse of the Union government led by V. P. Singh in November 1990, Yadav joined Chandra Shekhar's Janata Dal (Socialist) party and continued in office as chief minister with the support of the Indian National Congress (INC). His government fell when the INC withdrew its support in April 1991 in the aftermath of developments at the national level where it had earlier withdrawn its support for Chandra Shekhar's government. Mid-term elections to Uttar Pradesh assembly were held in mid-1991, in which Mulayam Singh's party lost power to the BJP.{{Cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Ram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AMCLQgAACAAJ|title=Mulayam Singh: A Political Biography|last2=Yadav|first2=Anshuman|date=1998|publisher=Konark Publishers|isbn=978-81-220-0530-1|pages=34–39}}

In 1992, Yadav founded his own Samajwadi Party (Socialist Party). In 1992, Hindu right wing mob was involved in the demolition of the Babri Mosque, which caused violence across India. In 1993, he allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party for the elections to the Uttar Pradesh assembly due to be held in November 1993.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JyyWqZHUWiYC|title=Mulayam Singh Yadav Aur Samajvad|publisher=Rajpal & Sons|isbn=978-81-7028-712-4|pages=56–57|language=hi}} The alliance between Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party prevented the return of BJP to power in the state.

In 1993, Yadav became the Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the second time. Yadav became chief minister of Uttar Pradesh with the support of Congress and Janata Dal. His stand on the movement for demanding separate statehood for Uttarakhand was as controversial as his stand on the Ayodhya movement in 1990 was. There was a firing on Uttarakhand activists at Muzaffarnagar on 2 October 1994, something for which Uttarakhand activists held him responsible. He continued holding that post until his ally opted into another alliance in June 1995.{{Cite web|title=Mulayam Singh Yadav Biography – About family, political life, awards won, history|url=https://www.elections.in/political-leaders/mulayam-singh-yadav.html/|access-date=18 November 2020|website=Elections in India}}

In 2002, following a fluid post-election situation in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Bahujan Samaj Party joined to form a government under Dalit leader Mayawati, who was considered to be Yadav's greatest political rival in the state.{{cite web|title=Mulayam may be keen to shake hands with Maya but is she?|url=http://www.dailyo.in/politics/mulayam-singh-yadav-mayawati-samajwadi-party-bsp-up-polls-bihar-polls/story/1/7453.html|website=www.dailyo.in|access-date=5 July 2016}} The BJP pulled out of the government on 25 August 2003, and enough rebel legislators of the Bahujan Samaj Party left to allow Yadav to become the Chief Minister, with the support of independents and small parties.{{cite web|title=UP governor invites Mulayam to form government|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/aug/28up.htm|work=Rediff|access-date=5 July 2016}} He was sworn in as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the third time in September 2003.

Yadav was still a member of the Lok Sabha when he was sworn in as chief minister. In order to meet the constitutional requirement of becoming a member of state legislature within six months of being sworn in, he contested the assembly by-election from Gunnaur assembly seat in January 2004. Yadav won by a record margin of 1,83,899 votes, polling 90.45 per cent of the votes.

With the hope of playing a major role at the centre, Yadav contested the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from Mainpuri while still Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He won the seat and his Samajwadi Party won more seats in Uttar Pradesh than all other parties. However, the Congress party, which formed the coalition government at the centre after the elections, had the majority in the Lok Sabha with the support of the Communist parties.{{Cite web|title=Mulayam singh News and Updates from The Economic Times – Page 4|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Mulayam-singh/news/4/4|url-status=live|archive-url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Mulayam-singh/news/5/5|archive-date=25 April 2016|access-date=18 November 2020|website=The Economic Times}} As a result, Yadav could not play any significant role at the centre. Yadav resigned from the Lok Sabha and chose to continue as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh until the 2007 elections, when he lost to the BSP.{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mulayam-concedes-defeat-its-Maya-in-UP/articleshow/2031046.cms? |title=Mulayam concedes defeat, it's Maya in UP |work=The Times of India |date=11 May 2007 |access-date=21 September 2016}}

He was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly ten times and to the Parliament of India, Lok Sabha seven times.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mulayam-singh-yadav-shifted-to-critical-care-unit-of-gurugram-s-medanta-hospital-101664785311325-amp.html |title=Mulayam Singh Yadav shifted to critical care unit of Gurugram's Medanta Hospital |work=Hindustan Times|date=3 October 2022}}

In 1996, Yadav was elected to the eleventh Lok Sabha from Mainpuri constituency. In the United Front coalition government formed that year, his party joined and he was named India's Defence Minister in the Deve Gowda ministry. That government fell in 1998 as India went in for fresh elections, but he returned to the Lok Sabha that year from Sambhal parliamentary constituency. After the fall of Atal Bihari Vajpayee union government in April 1999, he did not support the Congress party in the formation of the union government.{{cite news |title=Left had ditched Sonia in govt formation bid in 1999: Gujral |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/left-had-ditched-sonia-in-govt-formation-bid-in-1999-gujral/story-A7V9NWBkwlRYacwnWTPuoK.html |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=20 February 2011 |language=en}}

He contested the Lok Sabha general elections of 1999 from two seats, Sambhal Lok Sabha constituency and Kannauj Lok Sabha constituency, and won both seats. He resigned from the Kannauj seat for his son Akhilesh in the by-elections.{{Cite web|title=Rediff On The NeT: An interview with Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/sep/30mula.htm|access-date=18 November 2020|work=Rediff}}

He was elected in the 2014 Indian general election. He became an MP in the 16th Lok Sabha from Azamgarh and Mainpuri. The competing party BJP did not field a strong candidate in the election from Mainpuri.{{cite news |title=In Mainpuri, BJP has given Mulayam Singh a walkover |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/in-mainpuri-bjp-hands-mulayam-singh-victory-on-a-platter-1492933.html |access-date=10 October 2022 |date=24 April 2014}} In June 2014 he resigned from Mainpuri seat and continued to represent Azamgarh in Parliament.{{cite news |title=Modi Vacates Vadodara Seat, Mulayam Resigns from Mainpuri |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Modi-Vacates-Vadodara-Seat-Mulayam-Resigns-from-Mainpuri/2014/06/05/article2264662.ece |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=The New Indian Express |date=5 June 2014}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In May 2017, two Indian soldiers were killed and their bodies were mutilated by Pakistan's Border Action Team. When Yadav, who had served as the Defence Minister in past, was asked by journalists to comment on the attacks, he responded by saying "Defence Minister (Arun Jaitley) is weak and coward can never take on enemies. I have one question for the union government and the minister concerned: why are you not able to muster courage to show the enemy their place." He also said that during his term as defence minister in the Deve Gowda ministry, he had ordered the Indian Army to cross into Pakistan in response to attacks.{{cite news |title=Defence Minister 'Weak, Coward': Mulayam Singh Yadav Attacks Arun Jaitley |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/defence-minister-weak-coward-mulayam-singh-yadav-attacks-arun-jaitley-1692450 |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=NDTV.com |date=11 May 2017}}

He was re-elected in the 2019 Indian general election from Mainpuri for a fifth time. This was his fourth consecutive victory from the same constituency.{{cite news |title=तस्वीरें: 'धरतीपुत्र' की धरती पर थम गई मोदी की सुनामी, कायम रहा मुलायम का जलवा |url=https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/uttar-pradesh/agra/lok-sabha-election-result-mulayam-singh-yadav-won-from-mainpuri-lok-sabha-seat |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=Amar Ujala |language=hi}} He died in 2022, two years before the end of his term.

In 1992, Yadav founded his own Samajwadi Party (Socialist Party). Muslims make a sizeable minority in the Uttar Pradesh state. Samajwadi Party and Yadav emerged as the advocates for Muslims.

Since Akhilesh Yadav became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2012, surpassing Mulayam's brother Shivpal Singh Yadav, the Yadav family was divided into two feuding groups. One of the groups, led by Akhilesh, enjoyed the support of his father's cousin and National General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav. The rival group was led by Mulayam Singh and supported by his brother and State Chief of Party, Shivpal Yadav, and a friend, former MP Amar Singh. Akhilesh had fired his uncle twice from his cabinet as it was seen by many as a direct challenge to his father, who has steadily supported Shivpal over Akhilesh.{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/53902522.cms|title=Infighting erupts in ruling Yadav family in UP, Mulayam continues to pull the power strings|last=Rai|first=Manmohan|work=The Economic Times|access-date=12 March 2017}} On 30 December 2016, Mulayam Yadav expelled his son Akhilesh and his cousin Ram Gopal from the party for six years on the grounds of indiscipline, only to revoke the decision 24 hours later. Akhilesh, in response, stripped his father of the party presidency and instead named him the chief patron of the party following the national convention of the party on 1 January 2017. Mulayam termed the national convention illegal and directly expelled his cousin, Ram Gopal Yadav, who had convened the national executive convention. But the Election commission of India ruled that Ram Gopal Yadav had the right to convene that executive convention, and reversed Mulayam's order. Hence Akhilesh Yadav officially became the new national leader of the party.{{Cite web|title=Akhilesh Yadav Re-Elected As Samajwadi Party National President For Five Years|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/akhilesh-yadav-re-elected-as-samajwadi-party-national-president-for-five-years/302627%257|access-date=18 November 2020|website=www.outlookindia.com}}

Mulayam Singh Yadav had been elected 10 times as MLA and 7 times as Lok Sabha MP.{{cite web |url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=530 |title=Member Profile |work=Lok Sabha |access-date=29 September 2022}}{{cite web |title=Results of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/category/92-uttar-pradesh/ |website=eci.gov.in |publisher=Election Commission of India |access-date=10 October 2022}}

He followed Socialism. In the 1980s the Union Government of India had appointed Mandal Commission, a federal commission to identify the "socially backward classes" in India. The appointment led to protests across the country. During these protests Yadav defended the demands of the backward castes and religious minorities. Through these protests Yadav emerged as a socialist leader.{{cite news |title=Indian socialist leader Mulayam Singh Yadav dies at 82 |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Indian-socialist-leader-Mulayam-Singh-Yadav-dies-17498400.php |access-date=11 October 2022 |work=SFGATE |date=10 October 2022}}

Yadav said it is necessary for India to support a sovereign and independent Tibet. He said that a past government had made a "big mistake" on the issue and noted that he had spoken against it at the time.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/china-ready-to-attack-india-claims-mulayam-in-lok-sabha/articleshow/59663877.cms |title=Mulayam Singh Yadav: China ready to attack India, claims Mulayam in Lok Sabha |work=The Times of India |date=19 July 2017 |access-date=2 January 2018}} He believed that Tibet was a traditional buffer between China and India{{cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/mulayam-singh-yadavs-surprise-revelation-china-has-buried-nuclear-bombs-in-pakistan-nehru-erred-on-tibet/770060/ |title=Mulayam Singh Yadav's surprise 'revelation': China has buried nuclear bombs in Pakistan, Nehru erred on Tibet |work=The Financial Express |date=19 July 2017 |access-date=2 January 2018}} and that India should support the Dalai Lama and Tibetan independence.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/china-ready-to-attack-india-mulayam-claims-in-lok-sabha/article19307967.ece |title=China ready to attack India, Mulayam Singh Yadav claims in Lok Sabha |work=The Hindu |access-date=2 January 2018}} Claiming that China had secreted nuclear weapons in Pakistan, he cautioned that "China is our enemy, not Pakistan. Pakistan can do us no damage".{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/china-buried-nuclear-weapons-in-pakistan-to-attack-india-says-mulayam-singh-yadav/1/1005789.html |title=China has buried nukes in Pakistan to attack India: Former Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav |work=India Today |date=19 July 2017 |access-date=2 January 2018}}

Yadav's political career has been mired in several controversies. They include political corruption, abuse of power, interference in legal proceedings, promoting toxic patriarchal mindsets, and insensitive statements on serious matters.

The crime of rape became a capital offence in India following the 2012 Delhi gang rape incident, which triggered massive protests nationwide and was widely condemned. On 10 April 2014, in an election rally, Yadav, who opposed changing the law, stated, "When boys and girls have differences, the girl gives a statement that 'the boy raped me,' and that poor boy gets a death sentence."{{cite news|last=Taylor |first=Adam |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/04/11/boys-make-mistakes-indian-politicians-comments-reignite-rape-controversy/ |title='Boys make mistakes' – Indian politician's comments reignite rape controversy |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=11 April 2013 |accessdate=11 July 2014}} Referring to the trial in the 2013 Mumbai gang rape, where 3 of the 5 convicts were sentenced to death,{{cite news|agency=TNN |author =Rebecca Samervel | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Mumbai-Shakti-Mills-rape-cases-Death-penalty-for-3-repeat-offenders/articleshow/33238680.cms |title=Mumbai Shakti Mills rape cases: Death penalty for 3 repeat offenders |newspaper=The Times of India |date=4 April 2014 |accessdate=8 April 2014}} he added, "... later they had differences, and the girl went and gave a statement that I have been raped. And then the poor fellows, three of them have been sentenced to death. Should rape cases lead to hanging? Boys are boys, they make mistakes. Two or three have been given the death sentence in Mumbai. If Samajwadi Party is voted to power, we will change the law."{{cite web|url= https://www.indiatimes.com/news/more-from-india/mulayam-singh-yadav-sinks-to-a-new-low-defends-rapists-to-woo-voters-140567.html|title= Boys Make Mistakes: Mulayam Defends Rape|date= 10 April 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/election-2014/mulayam-s-shocker-on-rape-boys-make-mistakes-why-hang-them-506823 |title=Mulayam's shocker on rape: Boys make mistakes, why hang them? |publisher=NDTV |date=10 April 2014 |accessdate=11 July 2014}} The statements were harshly reprehended and labelled anti-women, and in retaliation, complaints were filed against Yadav with the Election Commission and the National Commission for Women (NCW). His comments were denounced by the Indian media, women's groups, women's rights activists,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-26984281 |title=Indian media criticise Mulayam Singh Yadav's 'anti-women' remarks |journal=BBC News |date=11 April 2014 |accessdate=11 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/boys-err-at-times-wrong-to-hang-rapists-mulayam-singh-yadav_923565.html |title=Boys err at times, wrong to hang rapists: Mulayam Singh Yadav |publisher=Zee News |date=11 April 2014 |accessdate=11 July 2014}} public prosecutor in the Shakti Mills gang rape case Ujjwal Nikam,{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/election-2014/mumbai-gang-rape-prosecutor-criticises-mulayam-singh-yadav-for-rape-remark-507643 |title=Mumbai gang rape prosecutor criticises Mulayam Singh Yadav for rape remark |publisher=NDTV |date=12 April 2014 |accessdate=11 July 2014}} Bollywood celebrities, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, and the mother of the victim in the Nirbhaya case.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/B-town-reacts-to-Mulayam-and-Abu-Azmis-rape-comment/photostory/33614701.cms |title=B-town reacts to Mulayam and Abu Azmi's rape comment |newspaper=The Times of India |accessdate=11 July 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/b-town-condemns-abu-azmi-mulayam-singh-yadav-over-rape-remarks/15223083 |title=B-Town condemns Abu Azmi, Mulayam Singh Yadav over rape remarks |newspaper=Mid Day |date=11 April 2014 |accessdate=11 July 2014}} Additionally, political leaders like Raj Thackeray and the then Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi heavily slammed Yadav for making such insensitive comments regarding women when they appeared on prime time TV show Aap Ki Adalat hosted by Rajat Sharma, who also agreed with both Thackeray and Modi.{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RRIQvViQw0|title= Narendra Modi in Aap Ki Adalat (Full Interview)|website= YouTube|date= 12 April 2014}}{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YacVATFN9WQ|title= Raj Thackeray in Aap Ki Adalat (Full Episode) - India TV|website= YouTube|date= 19 April 2014}}

In response to 2014 Badaun gang rape and Yadav's comments, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon criticised Yadav and issued a statement by saying "We say no to the dismissive, destructive attitude of, 'Boys will be boys{{'"}}.{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/717810/ally-of-indias-modi-says-rape-sometimes-right-sometimes-wrong/ |title=Ally of India's Modi says rape 'sometimes right, sometimes wrong' |work=The Express Tribune |date=5 June 2014 |agency=Reuters |access-date=19 July 2014}} On 19 August 2015, Yadav remarked that gang-rapes are impractical and rape-victims in those cases tend to lie.{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Activists-leaders-slam-Mulayam-Singh-for-saying-gang-rape-is-impractical/articleshow/48540988.cms|title=Activists, leaders slam Mulayam Singh for saying 'gang rape is impractical'|work=The Times of India|access-date=4 September 2015}} He was summoned by the Judicial Magistrate of Mahoba district court in Uttar Pradesh for that remark.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/up-court-summons-mulayam-singh-over-rape-remark/article7566027.ece|title=UP court summons Mulayam Singh over rape remark|first=Mohammad |last=Ali|work=The Hindu|access-date=4 September 2015}} Yadav, his son Akhilesh (for insensitive remarks on 2014 Badaun gang rape), and several other Samajwadi Party leaders like Abu Azmi and Azam Khan were eventually labelled as "Supporters of Rape and Rapists", as their comments promoted rape culture and led to a rise in rape incidents across Uttar Pradesh, which ultimately deteriorated safety of women and young girls and resulted a major defeat for the Samajwadi Party in the 2017 UP elections.{{cite news|url= https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mulayam-singh-yadav-backs-rapists-for-votes/articleshow/33579716.cms?from=mdr|title= Mulayam Singh Yadav backs rapists for votes|newspaper= The Economic Times|date= 11 April 2014}} Yadav's comments were also termed as a national embarrassment after they were reported in international media outlets.{{cite news|last=Taylor |first=Adam |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/04/11/boys-make-mistakes-indian-politicians-comments-reignite-rape-controversy/ |title='Boys make mistakes' – Indian politician's comments reignite rape controversy |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=11 April 2013 |accessdate=11 July 2014}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-26984281 |title=Indian media criticise Mulayam Singh Yadav's 'anti-women' remarks |journal=BBC News |date=11 April 2014 |accessdate=11 July 2014}}

On 10 July 2015, ex Indian Police Service officer and President Adhikar Sena, Amitabh Thakur allegedly got a phone call from Yadav. Thakur alleged that Yadav had threatened him over the phone call. He released the audio of the phone call, in which Yadav is allegedly heard saying certain sentences, which Thakur called as being threatening in nature. Thakur alleged that Mulayam Singh was unhappy about the complaint lodged by his wife activist and advocate Nutan Thakur against the then state mining minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati for illegal sand mining.{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/file-fir-against-mulayam-singh-yadav-in-amitabh-thakur-case-court-1218281|title=File FIR Against Mulayam Singh Yadav in Amitabh Thakur Case: Court|work=Press Trust of India}}{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/mulayam-threatened-me-says-ips-officer-releases-audio-clip/|title=IG-rank officer files police complaint against Mulayam Singh|date=12 July 2015|work=The Indian Express}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUhmfaTQiss|title='Mend your ways,' Mulayam Singh Yadav allegedly told senior police officer Amitabh Thakur|work=NDTV|date=14 July 2015 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgeD5VjmTrU|title=Sting: Mulayam Singh Yadav accused of threatening IPS Amitabh Thakur|work=ABP News|date=10 July 2015 }}

On 11 July 2015, Thakur presented a complaint before Hazratganj police station for registration of FIR against Yadav as regards the alleged phone threat, which the Police refused to register. In contrast, on the same night of 11 July, a rape case was registered against Thakur by the Lucknow police at Gomtinagar police station, which raised political storm. Later FIR was registered in this case on Court intervention, which the Police closed but Thakur went on pursuing it before Court. Following an investigation by the Vigilance Department and the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the charges against Thakur were proven baseless and he was cleared and reinstated.{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-police-file-final-report-in-case-by-ips-officer-against-mulayam-yadav-1932631|title=UP Police File Final Report In Case By IPS Officer Against Mulayam Yadav|work=Press Trust of India}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mulayam-singh-yadav-sent-notice-over-case-of-threatening-ips-officer-in-2015-2023600|title=Mulayam Yadav Sent Notice Over Case Of Threatening IPS Officer In 2015|work=Press Trust of India}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/lucknow/news/ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-retirement-update-mulayam-singh-yadav-to-vikas-dubey-128351029.html|title=IPS अमिताभ ठाकुर के 6 किस्से:मुलायम सिंह की धमकी वाले टेप को किया था लीक|work=Daiunik Bhaskar}}

During Thakur's tenure as the Superintendent of Police of Ferozabad in 2006, he refused to obey some of the wrongful dictates of then MLA Ramveer Singh Yadav, who was a close aid of Yadav. The refusal led to an incidence of alleged assault and manhandling with Thakur. Despite Mulayam's orders, Thakur got a First Information Report (FIR) registered in this matter at Eka police station. This led to Thakur extensively suffering at the hands of Mulayam Singh Government.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/nm14/mla-aides-bash-up-ferozabad-sp/article1-128879.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715194659/http://www.hindustantimes.com/nm14/mla-aides-bash-up-ferozabad-sp/article1-128879.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2015 |title=MLA, aides bash up Ferozabad SP |date=28 July 2006 |newspaper=Hindustan Times }} This was one of the few instances of deteriorating law and order which led to the Samajwadi Party losing the majority in the 2007 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election.

Yadav was criticised for his actions in the Ayodhya firing incident in 1990, which led to the death of 17 Kar Sevaks by the Uttar Pradesh Police. He was given the sobriquet 'Mulla' Mulayam Singh for his extremely pro-Muslim anti-Hindu stance during the incident. He lost the 1991 election to the Bharatiya Janata Party in the aftermath of this incident.{{cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1990/10/31/page/5/article/indian-troops-kill-5-hindus-in-mosque |title=October 31, 1990 – Indian troops kill 5 Hindus in mosque | Chicago Tribune Archive |website=Archives.chicagotribune.com |date=31 October 1990 |access-date=24 May 2017}}

In 2004, following the arrest of SP leader Mukhtar Ansari by Deputy Superintendent of Police Shailendra Singh, Yadav, as then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, attempted to influence the event and prevent it. Singh charged Ansari under relevant sections of Prevention of Terrorism Act for attempting to acquire a Light Machine Gun, a weapon which can only be acquired by the Armed Forces. Following his arrest, Yadav put immense pressure on Singh and his senior officers, forcing Singh to resign from his post.{{cite web|url= https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/former-police-officer-shailendra-singh-mukhtar-ansari-machine-gun-terror-charges-2520712-2024-03-29|title= This ex-cop seized machine gun, hit Mukhtar Ansari with POTA charge in 2004|date= 29 March 2024}} Ansari died of a heart attack on 28 March 2024, while he was serving prison sentence on the charges of murder and fake arms licence case.{{Cite web |date=28 March 2024 |title=Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari dies after heart attack: Sources |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/gangster-turned-politician-mukhtar-ansari-dies-after-heart-attack-423324-2024-03-28 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=Business Today |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328173415/https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/gangster-turned-politician-mukhtar-ansari-dies-after-heart-attack-423324-2024-03-28 |url-status=live }} Ansari's death was labelled suspicious, as Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav demanded an enquiry into his death stating that Ansari was poisoned in prison days after his conviction.{{Cite web |title=After Mukhtar Ansari's Death, Akhilesh Yadav Demands Supreme Court Probe |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/after-mukhtar-ansaris-death-akhilesh-yadav-demands-supreme-court-probe-over-doubtful-cases-5332665 |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=NDTV.com |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329110037/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/after-mukhtar-ansaris-death-akhilesh-yadav-demands-supreme-court-probe-over-doubtful-cases-5332665 |url-status=live }} Yadav also supported another gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, who was assassinated in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/india/news-atiq-ahmed-killed-live-abu-salem-journalist-asad-ashraf-shot-dead-watch-video-7559653.html|title=Posing as Journos 3 Shooters Kill Atiq, Ashraf Ahmed|website=News18|accessdate=16 April 2023|archive-date=15 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415214716/https://www.news18.com/india/news-atiq-ahmed-killed-live-abu-salem-journalist-asad-ashraf-shot-dead-watch-video-7559653.html|url-status=live}}

Following the Batla House encounter on 19 September 2008, which took place almost a week after the terrorist attacks in Delhi, Yadav criticized the Delhi Police and labelled the encounter as fake, while also demanding the United Progressive Alliance government conduct a judicial inquiry against the officers involved in the encounter.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100860151200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010223851/http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100860151200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2008|title=SP for judicial inquiry into Jamia encounter|date=8 October 2008|work=The Hindu|location=Chennai, India}} Amar Singh, a fellow leader of the Samajwadi Party and a close aid of Yadav, warned the Congress government about withdrawing from the alliance if students who were arrested in the Batla House raid were found innocent. Singh was also criticized for insulting the family of Sr Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, the officer killed in the encounter.{{cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100860201200.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081010223903/http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100860201200.htm|url-status= live|archive-date= 2008-10-10|title= 'SP may pull out if Jamia students are innocent'}} Sharma's family rejected Singh's compensation cheque of Rs 10,00.000 as a result of his views. {{cite news|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?gid=266&id=617026|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104072753/http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?gid=266&id=617026|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2013|title=Sharma's family rejects SP offer|publisher=Outlook India|access-date=20 March 2009}}

In February 2017, Yadav attempted to interfere in a rape case against Gayatri Prasad Prajapati by ordering the Uttar Pradesh Police to not register any FIR against him.{{cite web|url= https://scroll.in/latest/841951/mulayam-singh-defends-rape-accused-samajwadi-party-leader-gayatri-prajapati-claims-he-is-innocent|title= Mulayam Singh defends rape-accused Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati, claims he is innocent|date= 27 June 2017}} However, the victim approached the Supreme Court, which ordered the department to investigate the case. Subsequently, Prajapati, who was also accused of illegal sand mining in 2013 by bureaucrat Durga Shakti Nagpal, was arrested in March 2017 after absconding for long, and he was convicted of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/up-minister-gayatri-prajapati-wanted-in-gang-rape-case-arrested/article17465616.ece|title= U.P. Minister Gayatri Prajapati arrested on rape charge |date=15 March 2017|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=16 March 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ex-up-minister-gayatri-prasad-prajapati-gets-jail-for-life-gang-rape-case-1876120-2021-11-12|title=Gayatri Prajapati, former Akhilesh Yadav govt minister, gets jail for life in rape case}}

Yadav has faced widespread condemnation by several opposing leaders for promoting toxic patriarchal mindsets, as well as misogynistic and anti-women views. In March 2010, the United Progressive Alliance government tried to pass the Women's Reservation Bill, which allowed 33% reservation quota to the women in the legislative bodies. Yadav opposed the bill and warned about withdrawing from the alliance, commenting that "if the bill is passed it will fill Parliament with the kind of women who invite catcalls and whistles".{{cite web|url= https://indianexpress.com/article/india/latest-news/mulayam-draws-flak-for-his-sexist-remark-on-women/|title= Mulayam draws flak for his 'sexist' remark on women|date= 24 March 2010}} Yadav echoed similar comments in November 2012, stating that "the bill will benefit only rich and attractive women of the society and not those coming poor families and villages".{{cite news|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mulayam-opposes-women-reservation-bill-says-our-poor-and-rural-women-are-not-attractive/articleshow/17160615.cms|title= Mulayam opposes Women Reservation Bill, says 'our poor and rural women are not attractive'|newspaper= The Times of India|date= 9 November 2012}} The remarks was termed as sexist and heavily slammed by several political leaders from different parties, as well as his own party leaders.{{cite web|url= https://www.ndtv.com/photos/news/mulayam-booed-for-sexist-remarks-on-womens-bill-7108#photo-75936|title= Mulayam booed for sexist remarks on Women's Bill}} As a result of his comments, several leaders, including Samajwadi Party leaders Amar Singh and Jaya Prada urged the National Commission for Women to take strict action against Yadav.{{cite web|url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/mulayam-s-remarks-on-women-sexist-talibani-amar/story-QTdbWJyGf0SCbxG7gUjcYL.html|title= Mulayam's remarks on women sexist, Talibani: Amar}}

Yadav was married twice. His first wife, Malti Devi, was in a vegetative state from 1974 until her death in May 2003 following complications while giving birth to their only child, Akhilesh Yadav. Akhilesh was Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2012 to 2017.{{cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-samajwadi-parivar/921192/0 |title=The Samajwadi Parivar |work=Indian Express |date=7 March 2012 |access-date=10 October 2013 |last=Yadav |first=Shyamlal}}{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-05-27/lucknow/27270264_1_tributes-saifai-village-mulayam-singh |work=The Times of India |title=Tributes paid to Mulayam's wife |access-date=10 October 2013}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Mulayam had a relationship with Sadhana Gupta while still married to Malti Devi in the 1990s.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/sanjeev-singh-blog/warring-yadavs-star-in-kalyugs-ramayan/|title=Warring Yadavs star in Kalyug's Ramayan|date=26 October 2016|website=Times of India Blog}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/what-befalls-a-hubby-who-forgets-a-kaikeyisque-boon/cid/1513884|title=What befalls a hubby who forgets a Kaikeyisque boon|website=www.telegraphindia.com}} Gupta was not well known until February 2007, when the relationship was admitted in India's Supreme Court.{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/mar/06spec.htm |title=Will this man bring down Mulayam? |last=Bhatt |first=Sheela |date=6 March 2007 |access-date=10 October 2007 |work=rediff.com}} Sadhana Gupta had a son named Prateek Yadav (born 1988), from her first marriage{{Cite web |date=26 October 2016 |title=मुलायम के अकेले वारिस हैं अखिलेश, प्रतीक नहीं हैं बेटे! |url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/uttar-pradesh/story/a-cbi-documents-disclosed-prateek-yadav-is-not-son-of-mulayam-singh-yadav-387302-2016-10-26 |access-date=3 August 2022 |website=Aaj Tak |language=hi}} to Chandra Prakash Gupta.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/uttar-pradesh/story/a-cbi-documents-disclosed-prateek-yadav-is-not-son-of-mulayam-singh-yadav-387302-2016-10-26|title=मुलायम के अकेले वारिस हैं अखिलेश, प्रतीक नहीं हैं बेटे!|date=26 October 2016 }} Sadhana Gupta died in July 2022 after a brief illness.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/mulayam-singh-yadavs-wife-sadhana-gupta-cremated-in-lucknow/articleshow/92784775.cms | title=Mulayam Singh Yadav's wife Sadhana Gupta cremated in Lucknow | Lucknow News – Times of India | website=The Times of India | date=10 July 2022 }}

{{See also|Political families of Uttar Pradesh}}

Mulayam Singh Yadav had four brothers and a sister, Kamla Devi. Ram Gopal Yadav and his sister Geeta Devi are his cousins. The family tree of Yadav family is as follows:{{cite web |url=https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/up-election-2022-sp-leader-mulayam-singh-yadav-family-tree-entire-family-members-political-affiliation-news-in-hindi |title=Mulayam Singh Family Tree : ये है मुलायम सिंह यादव का कुनबा, जानिए मुलायम परिवार की किस महिला ने सबसे पहले राजनीति में कदम रखा? |work=Amar Ujala |date=19 January 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/uttar-pradesh/story/family-tree-of-mulayam-singh-yadav-and-presence-in-samajwadi-party-394013-2016-12-30 |title=ये हैं यूपी के 'यादव एंड सन्स'! जानें, कौन से पायदान पर हैं CM अखि‍लेश |work=Aaj Tak |date=30 December 2016 }}

{{Family tree of Mulayam Singh Yadav}}

In September 2022, Yadav was admitted to hospital and put on a ventilator after his condition deteriorated. He had been hospitalised for a month.{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Saurabh |title=Veteran Indian politician Mulayam Singh Yadav dies at 82 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/veteran-indian-politician-mulayam-singh-yadav-dies-82-2022-10-10/ |access-date=11 October 2022 |work=Reuters |date=10 October 2022 |language=en}} Yadav died on 10 October 2022 at age 82 in a Medanta hospital in Gurgaon.{{cite news |title=Mulayam Singh Yadav: Indian political stalwart dies, aged 82 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63113938 |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=BBC News |date=10 October 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Updates: Mulayam Singh Yadav Dies At 82, Political Leaders Pay Tributes |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mulayam-singh-yadav-dies-at-82-live-updates-political-leaders-pay-tributes-3417199 |access-date=10 October 2022 |website=NDTV.com}} His last rites were performed with full state honours at his hometown Saifai.{{cite news|url= https://newsonair.gov.in/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=449172|work=NewsOnAir|title=Mulayam Singh Yadav to be cremated with full state honours this afternoon|date=10 October 2022}}{{cite news |date=11 October 2022 |title=Mulayam Singh Yadav Funeral LIVE Updates: Last Rites Of SP Founder Commence At Saifai |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/mulayam-singh-yadav-funeral-live-updates-samajwadi-party-neta-ji-mulayam-singh-last-rites-news-akhilesh-yadav-shiv-pal-yadav-1557543 |access-date=11 October 2022 |work=news.abplive.com |language=en}}

Main Mulayam Singh Yadav, an Indian Hindi-language biographical film by Suvendu Raj Ghosh based on his life, was released in 2021; with Amyth Sethi playing the title role.{{Cite web|title=Makers of 'Main Mulayam Singh Yadav' Release New Poster of Biopic|url=https://www.newsvoir.com/release/makers-of-apos-main-mulayam-singh-yadav-apos-release-new-poster-of-biopic-14073.html|access-date=9 July 2020|website=newsvoir.com}}

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File:Akhilesh Yadav receiving Padma Vibhushan on the behalf of his late father Sh. Mulayam Singh Yadav.jpg receiving Padma Vibhushan on the behalf of his late father in 2023]]

As Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav is credited for the establishment of legal and medical educational institutions like the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences,{{Cite news |date=2022-10-13 |title=Lucknow: Doctors recall Mulayam Singh Yadav's works for medical infrastructure |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/lucknow-doctors-recall-mulayam-singh-yadavs-works-for-medical-infrastructure/articleshow/94824246.cms |access-date=2024-06-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} U.P. Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (now known as Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences), Government Medical College, Azamgarh, Government Medical College, Kannauj etc.

One of his celebrated and notable decisions during his tenure as the Cabinet Minister in the Union Government was the historic change in the armed forces law regarding disposition of bodies of fallen soldiers, ensuring that the mortal remains of martyrs reached home. Yadav as the Defence Minister introduced a landmark law for the bodies of the slain armed forces personnel to be brought back with full respects to the families at the home of the martyred and mandatory state honour funeral to be organised. Under his tenure, advanced inventory fighter jet of the Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30 MKI was finalised and acquired by the Indian Government.{{Cite web |title=Landmark decision by Mulayam Singh Yadav|url= https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/mulayam-singh-yadav-death-mortal-remains-landmark-decision-martyred-soldiers-2022-10-10-815166 |access-date=10 October 2022 |website=India Today |date= 10 October 2022 |language=hi}}{{Cite web |title=Defence Minister's decision on martyr soldier's dead body|url=https://www.aajtak.in/explained/story/samajwadi-party-former-chief-mulayam-singh-yadav-death-mulayam-singh-yadav-defence-minister-martyr-soldiers-dead-body-ntc-1553053-2022-10-10|access-date=10 October 2022 |website=Aaj Tak |date=10 October 2022 |language=hi}}{{Cite news |title=Historic decision by Mulayam Singh Yadav|url=https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/mulayam-singh-yadav-death-former-defense-minister-mulayam-singh-yadav-took-a-historic-decision-for-the-martyred-soldiers-2235155/amp |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=ABP |language=hi}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://thefoxynews.com/samjwadi-party-mulayam-singh-yadav-passes-away/ Samajwadi Supremo Mulayam singh yadav passed away]
• {{cite book|title=India's silent revolution: Rise of lower castes in North India|year=2003|last=Jaffrelot|first=Christophe |author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. |isbn=978-1-85065-670-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-rMW03l_gx0C}}
• {{cite book |title=Business Standard Political Profiles: Of Cabals and Kings |author=Aditi Phadnis |author-link=Aditi Phadnis |publisher=Business Standard Books |year=2009 |isbn=9788190573542 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qT7QvviGoJsC}}
• {{cite book |title=News As Culture: Journalistic Practices and the Remaking of Indian Leadership Tradition |first=Ursula |last=Rao |publisher=Berghahn Books |year=2010 |isbn=9781845456696 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6KsXVHAUWNwC}}
• {{cite book |title=Theft of an Idol: Text and Context in the Representation of Collective Violence |first=Paul R. |last=Brass |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=1997 |isbn=9780691026503 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q55rb_-NnugC}}
• {{cite book |title=Contesting the Nation: Religion, Community, and the Politics of Democracy in India |editor-first=David E. |editor-last=Ludden |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |year=1996 |isbn=9780812215854 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jEUdPqYQjhoC}}
• {{cite book |title=Mulayam Singh: a political biography |first1=Ram |last1=Singh |first2=Anshuman |last2=Yadav |publisher=Konark Publishers |year=1998 |isbn=9788122005301}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121108004959/http://www.samajwadiparty.in/ourleader-mulayam.html Profile on Samajwadi Party website]

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{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the Samajwadi Party in the 16th Lok Sabha|years=2014–2022}}

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{{Defence Ministers of India}}

{{Padma Vibhushan Awards|state=collapsed}}

{{Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh}}

{{16th LS members from Uttar Pradesh}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Yadav, Mulayam Singh}}

Category:1939 births

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