‘Rapists of girl must be dealt with sternly’

Speaking to media persons at the Chennai airport on Wednesday, Haasan, who was returning from Mumbai where he had gone to promote his next film Vishwaroopam 2, said, “I cannot help but feel such incidents are the result of the collective failure and apathy of the government, civil society and the media. We cannot sit back and rest. The issue must be highlighted until practical change is possible.” The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president also drew attention to the fact that many cases of sexual abuse are perpetrated by individuals who are either family or known to the victim.

The 63-year-old Haasan cautioned against seething public anger that might lead to mob action against the culprits. He said that taking the law into our own hands will not serve any purpose. Meanwhile, Tamil film producer RK Suresh, who was seen accompanying the MNM leader at his early political rallies, has distanced himself from the party. Differences of opinion in approach and strategy between him and Kamal Haasan is said to be the reason.