Make martial arts compulsory in schools, says Rani

Bollywood actor feels the move will help schoolchildren defend themselves and also stay fit.

Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji is in favour of making martial arts and other self-defense methods compulsory for school children to help them protect themselves and also stay fit.

“Like we learn Hindi, chemistry and other subjects, I think we should get karate, taekwondo or any other kind of martial arts and make it compulsory for school children right at the age of three or four,” she said on Tuesday at the Mumbai Police — Women Interface, a programme organised to increase self-awareness about safety among women.

Mukerji said most cases of sexual abuse happen within the family or friends circle. Hence, women need to know the importance of fighting back which should be taught at an early age. “This self-defense that we learn from childhood will help us be fit and it would also impart a self-defense skill in times of crisis,” she said. “What we get to see on crime shows tell us that criminals are cowards; if they do something to us that means we allow them to do it. But if we stand up and hit them, then something can happen. The biggest weapon is to kick them between their legs,” Mukerji added.

Other celebrities like Shabana Azmi, Karisma Kapoor, lyricist Javed Akhtar and an ad film-maker Alyque Padamsee were also present at the event.

Veteran actor Azmi feels victims of sexual harassment often avoid filing complaints because the police officers make them feel uncomfortable with bizarre questions. According to Times of India, Azmi suggested that the police needs to work on changing their approach to tackle such issues and create an “encouraging atmosphere” at the police stations so the victims feel secure.

Since the Delhi gang-rape case, the Mumbai police department has taken the responsibility to educate the youth about women’s safety by organising awareness campaigns.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2013.            

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