With his statement, Kamal Haasan effectively propagated a misogynistic take, which blames a woman’s “behavior” for the domestic violence and sexual harassment she faces.
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, on Saturday, displayed a shocking lack of understanding of violence against women in a tweet, insisting that ‘dignity and balance’ were enough to deter domestic violence and sexual harassment. The founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) unknowingly placed the responsibility for violence prevention on the victims (women) by stating that “trust” can do more harm to perpetrators than “pepper spray”.
The actor gave the ill-generated advice, which borders on the victim’s guilt, in response to a video posted by a Twitter user with the identifier @snehamohandoss. In the Jan. 1 video, she had shown her skills with a nunchanku (a metal weapon) and said that the ability to protect yourself allows you to live with less fear and more freedom. She had used the hashtags #Free_From_DomesticViolence and #Learn_SelfDefence in the post.
While many praised the skill and confidence he displayed, Kamal chose to discard self-defense as a method to combat violence.
“Dignity and balance are important to your protection and empowerment. With the above qualities, your self-defense can become non-violent. When non-violence meets violence, there is no combat; clearly, the criminal is exposed. His confidence can do more harm than pepper spray, “he tweeted.
Dignity and balance are important for your protection and empowerment. With the above qualities, your self defense can become non-violent. When nonviolence meets violence, there is no combat; clearly the criminal is exposed. Your confidence can do more harm than pepper spray https://t.co/0frfUtciWZ
– Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) January 2, 2021
With this statement, the actor effectively propagated the misogynistic view of domestic violence and sexual harassment that ‘men will remain men’ and that women should avoid offending men’s egos to avoid becoming victims.
Upset by the actor and politician’s statement, several Twitter users criticized his sexist comments.
“Never meet your heroes or follow them on social media. They will suddenly say absolute shit like this and expose their male privilege,” wrote one social media user.
Congressional leader Lakshmi Ramachandran also dismissed the “dignity” argument offered by the male politician. “What are you saying sir? I will do anything to save myself and my loved ones from being harmed by a criminal / murderer / rapist. Dignity my foot!” she tweeted.
Social activist and feminist Dhivya Marunthiah stated: “In my opinion (in my opinion), I do not believe that men should even open their mouths and give unsolicited advice or opinions on matters that belong entirely to women. Men should not be part of those discussions at all. “
Another user named Lakshmi said: “Girls can learn to stand up for themselves or just scare off sexual predators by being confident, or better to do both. This is as good as saying, in the least hurtful tone, as boys will be boys, the most hurtful tone you brought yourself. “
Radhika Santhanam, a journalist, asked: “Seriously, how difficult is it to tweet: ‘Men, in 2021, please understand the meaning of’ no ‘?’ The world may be on fire, but women will be told to keep their “dignity.” It’s a disappointment. “
Several other Twitter users also pointed out that Kamal’s regressive view on the matter implied that the victims of abuse were not worthy.
Many demanded an apology from the actor.
I am trying to understand this!
OMG!!! Are you saying that all the victims missed what you mentioned? APOLOGIZE!! https://t.co/CMlQCIVakK– Wolfie as Otteri Jamie Foxx (he / him) (@ wolfiehere5) January 2, 2021
The men who attack don’t give a damn about the things you mentioned and somehow arming ourselves with confidence and dignity is supposed to keep us safe from them. Do you even hear yourself speak? As long as men like you talk like this, women have to defend ourselves in our own way https://t.co/GAuKnyus6V
– Firefly @ Dusk (@MysticKaali) January 2, 2021
Enough, sir.
Try saying this to a woman who is kidnapped, gang-raped, and then burned alive.
How are you going to protect their dignity?
Are you aware that you are implicitly saying that all women who are or were victims of violent abuse are unworthy? https://t.co/lzd9xDJ8PQ
– Panadol (@Kichukii) January 2, 2021
Earlier, MeToo singer and activist Chinmayi Sripaada had shared a 2014 Kamal Haasan interview where he shared what a ‘rogue man’ would think. In the video, the actor claims that he, too, has made women uncomfortable in the past by whistling and staring at them.
“If a really good girl is walking and these men get too close, they themselves will choose to let her go. But if a girl reacts and spits at them, they will definitely chase her because they are signs,” he said. “If you make faces they will choose you and if you threaten to hit them with stones, they will grab your hand. Do you understand? They see it as a sign. If your dignity does not waver, they will feel bad and leave it. You cannot take arms for that. If you heart is pure, no one will come near, “he added.
Even considering it is from a November 2014 interview, this ‘manasu sutthama irundha yaarum varamaatanga’ is a Victim Blaming 101 textbook. Https://t.co/PWBlWHzvvB
– Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) January 1, 2021
The politician, who claims to practice equality, has repeatedly appealed to the victim’s guilt and has held the position even six years after this regressive interview, and two years after the MeToo movement woke up the world about why responsibility should be the perpetrator. By constantly embracing the idea that a woman’s dignity can save her from physical and sexual assault, she has effectively removed any responsibility or guilt from the men involved in the assault.
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