Following the alarming sexual assault of a female engineering student at Anna University, popular actor and character artist MS Bhaskar issued a statement addressing the incident and the broader issue of women’s safety. He questioned the growing sentiment that law and order in Tamil Nadu has broken down, pointing out that the responsibility for such crimes lies with individuals rather than a lack of stringent laws.
Bhaskar raised important questions: Were the parents of the victim sending their children to college with the expectation that they would engage in romantic relationships? Did the college administration encourage students to meet in secluded places? He also highlighted the critical moment when the perpetrator threatened the victim with video recordings and blackmail, urging that self-defense would have been the key to stopping the assailant.
According to Bhaskar, while laws may be harsh, they are not enough to reduce crimes unless there is a broader cultural shift. He stressed the importance of women, especially young girls, learning self-defense to protect themselves in such situations. "It is essential for every girl child to learn self-defense. Simply relying on laws will not reduce crimes; it is our responsibility to equip our daughters with the tools to protect themselves," he said. He concluded by stating that blaming the government in this situation would be unjust and that parents and educational institutions must take a proactive role in ensuring the safety of their children.
