Are not 14-16 year old girls children too? asks Haasan

Actor politician Kamal Haasan today wondered why the ordinance promulgated today provided for death penalty for rape of girls under 12 years alone and not for those aged between 14 and 16 and said families should bring up boys to act responsibly.

"Why is the death penalty only for rape of girls aged under 12... what about 14, 15, and 16-year-olds, are they not children too.?It will take time for them too (14-16 year-olds) to blossom as women. I do not know how to view it," he said.

The Makkal Needhi Maiam chief was addressing his party workers and supporters through YouTube.

Answering a question on crimes against women and children and the rules he would bring in if his party was voted to power, Haasan said "rules can be formulated... even now death penalty has been prescribed."
There was also some confusion in arriving at a decision but he overcame it, he said
To another question, he said "you decide what I should be... whether the Chief Minister or Leader of Opposition."