Chennai: Actor Kamal Haasan, who accidentally disclosed the name of the actress who was subjected to a sexual assault near Angamaly in February, stood his ground on Saturday. Unfazed by a notice from the National Commission for Women, the actor said that the demand for an apology was like “penalizing a lawyer and missing the criminals”.

“Can’t name her? Name her after my mother or my daughter. This war will be fought...” he wrote on Twitter after NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam said that a notice would be served on Kamal seeking an explanation for naming the victim.

Kamal later followed up with another tweet: “If you still want me to apologize I will. No one is above law except your gods.”

The actor named the victim on Wednesday while answering to a reporter’s question about the safety of women in cinema. When the reporters present at the press conference pointed out the violation of the law, Kamal brushed it aside.

"It doesn't matter if I have used the name. You have put out her name everywhere. Do not hide the name as there is nothing wrong with it. If you want to call her Draupadi, call her Draupadi. Don't call her 'a female’," he said.

Section 228 A of the Indian Penal Code prescribes imprisonment of up to two years for anyone who discloses the identity of victims of sexual assault.

Malayalam actor Aju Varghese and script writer S.N. Swami also landed in trouble after naming the actress, who was waylaid and assaulted by a gang of goons.

Popular actor Dileep was arrested on Monday for plotting the attack.



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