Dignity important for women protection: Kamal Haasan's comment irks many

Actor-turned-politician went on to assert 'confidence' can do more damage to the perpetrators, than 'pepper spray'

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, on Saturday, found himself in a bit of an unpleasant situation over his recent tweet. The celebrated star displayed a shocking lack of understanding of violence against women, which insisted that 'dignity and equipoise' were sufficient to deter domestic violence and sexual harassment.

The politician was responding to a video posted by a Twitter user with the handle @snehamohandoss. In the video, she had displayed her skills with a nunchaku (a metal weapon) and said that the ability to protect oneself empowers you to live with less fear and more freedom.  While many had praised the skill and confidence she showcased, Kamal chose to term self-defense as a method to fight violence. He went on to assert that 'confidence' can do more damage to the perpetrators, than 'pepper spray'.

"Dignity and equipoise 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. Your confidence can do more damage than pepper spray," he tweeted.

Dignity and equipoise are important to your protection and empowerment. With the above qualities, your self-defence can become non-violent. When non-violence meets violence, there is no combat; clearly the criminal is exposed. Your confidence can do more damage than pepper spray https://t.co/0frfUtciWZ

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) January 2, 2021

Soon after his response, many called out the actor for his 'misogynistic' take on domestic violence and sexual harassment. Miffed at the actor-politician's statement, several Twitter users called out his sexist remarks.

"Never meet your heroes or follow them on social media. They'll suddenly say absolute shit like this and expose their male privilege," a social media user wrote.

Congress leader Lakshmi Ramachandran, too, rubbished 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 getting harmed by a criminal/murderer/rapist. Dignity, my foot!" she tweeted.

What are you saying, sir? I will do anything to save myself and loved ones from getting harmed by a criminal/murderer/rapist. Dignity my foot! https://t.co/YG8NsUWMAS

— Lakshmi Ramachandran (@laksr_tn) January 2, 2021

Social activist and feminist Dhivya Marunthiah stated, "IMO (in my opinion) I don’t think men should even open their mouth and give unsolicited advice or opinions on matters completely pertaining to women. Men shouldn’t be a part of those discussions at all."

IMO I don’t think men should even open their mouth and give unsolicited advice or opinions on matters completely pertaining to women. Men shouldn’t be a part of those discussions at all. PLEASE go back to whatever shit you’re doing. https://t.co/7hbvhujBXi

— Dhivya Marunthiah (@DhivCM) January 2, 2021

Another user named Lakshmi said, "Girls could learn self-defense or just scare sexual predators by being confident, or even better do both. This is as good as saying, in the least hurtful tone as boys will be boys, the most hurtful tone you brought this on yourself."

Girls could learn self-defense or just scare sexual predators by being confident, or even better do both. This is as good as saying in least hurtful tone as boys will be boys, most hurtful tone you brought this on yourself. https://t.co/1EXeZSb3IY

— lakshmi (@lakshm16) January 2, 2021

Radhika Santhanam, a journalist, asked, "Seriously, how hard is it to tweet: 'Men, in 2021, please understand the meaning of 'no'?' The world may be burning but women will still be told to maintain their "dignity". So disappointing."

Seriously, how hard is it to tweet: 'Men, in 2021, please understand the meaning of 'no'?' The world may be burning but women will still be told to maintain their "dignity". So disappointing. https://t.co/OHb882JKvU

— Radhika Santhanam (@radhikasan) January 2, 2021

Several other Twitter users also pointed out that Kamal's regressive take on the matter implied that victims of abuse were not dignified. Many demanded an apology from the actor. However, this isn't the first time the politician, who claims to practice equality, has repeatedly resorted to victim-blaming. In a 2014 interview, he maintained the same stance. By constantly, endorsing the idea that a woman's dignity can save her from physical and sexual assault, he has effectively removed any responsibility or blame from the men involved in the attack.

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