“Only because women let it happen do such crimes (rape) happen. There is no point blaming only men.”Bhagyaraj, film maker
This is what popular director/script writer/actor Bhagyaraj said while addressing media at the music launch of the film Karuthukalai Pathivu Sei.
He made a string of misogynistic comments justifying instances of rapes by blaming women for ‘being careless’ and ‘letting men use’ them.
Krishnasaamy Bhagyaraj is a director, actor, screenwriter, music director and producer and has made several highly-acclaimed movies in Tamil cinema since 1977.
Most of his films, like Mundhanai Mudichu, Chinna Veedu, have strong female leads.
‘Women Let It (Rape) Happen’
Talking about how the young generation is addicted to smartphones, he said he would often wonder how men would keep changing their SIM cards so that they can avoid the girl they met the previous night.
He added that times have changed now. “But these men told that women have two three phones and many SIM cards nowadays,” he said.
He quoted a classic male-chauvinistic quote, “Usi idam kudutha thaan nool nuzhaya mudiyum,” which roughly translates to “only because women let men wrong them, do they get wronged.”
“Women these days are always on phone, which is why they are being exploited. There were times when restrictions were imposed on women. No such crimes happened during those times”.Bhagyaraj, film maker
He went on to state that incidents such as the Pollachi rape assault happened because ‘women let it happen.’ He added that men alone should not be blamed for this as women were weak so men just took advantage of that.
“So, if men are to be blamed, then women are also just as wrong,” he added.
The Pollachi rape assault case opened a can of worms as investigations found that four men had been sexually exploiting and blackmailing about 20 women, over the last few years. The accused had allegedly shot several hundreds of videos of the women they lured and tortured them physically and mentally.
Other noted film personalities such as Kasthuri Raja, S Ve Shekher, music director Dheena on the same stage, remained silent as Bhagyaraj’s statements were met with applause from the audience.
He also bragged about how men are capable of managing any number of women they have an affair with, justifying adultery.
‘Women Should Stay Within the Limit’
Bhagyaraj also talked about how restrictions are essential for women so that they ‘stay within the limit.’
“If a man does a mistake, it won’t be a big deal. But if women do the same, it is a huge issue. Because if a man has a second wife, he will make sure that that woman is happy, will give her money and property and his first wife will also not be affected. But..as for women, look at what the papers even say... women will kill husbands and kids for an affair.”Bhagyaraj, film maker
He added that it is to avoid such situations that, women have always been told to ‘have a control over themselves.’
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