Kamal Haasan wants boys to be raised responsibly

In a YouTube live address, Kamal detailed his plans for Tamil Nadu. He said that the adoption of villages by his party will continue with five more villages in the fold. He urged the people to adopt methods of water conservation as it is a pressing issue in the state. 

Kamal said that he is not someone who engages in politics only on twitter. He added that actors who were once derided as a community, have entered politics in the past have been able to bring about meaningful change. Similarly, the perception about farmers will change as well.

The 63-year-old also addressed the state of public education and asked for non-profits to contribute towards teaching and infrastructure to improve outcomes. 

On the ongoing protests around natural resources such as water, he said that the momentum must not be lost when the issue fades from public memory and to think that the struggle for these resources has ended is to be naive. He urged for people to persist with the struggle till a permanent resolution is reached. 

Kamal said that in order to bring about change in the socio-political situation he has had to opt to enter electoral politics. 

On the recent dialogue around crimes against women he said that raising a male child responsibly is the way to reduce such instances of sexual violence. Commenting on the ordinance that awards death penalty in cases of rape of children below 12 years of age, Kamal said that he did not see the distinction as he considers everyone up until the age of 16 a child. 

Kamal finally urged the members of his party to be vigilant on the issue of political and social injustice. He added that an app for reporting any grievances of the people is being developed. The Maiam Whistle App will be a plat-form that will bring to light the actions that need to be taken by those in power on various issues faced by the people, he added. 

On the subject of model villages, Kamal said that Makkal Needhi Maiam has already adopted a village called Adigathur in Thiruvallur district. The other villages will be announced after dialogue and consultation with the villagers. “It is not about parachuting into a village but, looking at making the engagement sustainable,” he said. The MNM president added that he would formulate a plan only after the villagers consent to the party taking over the development process and work only with their growth in mind.