Chinmayi Sripaada took to social media to address the backlash she faced after hitting out at Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan for congratulating writer Vairamuthu for the latter's Jnanpith Award win. Vairamuthu was accused of sexual assault by the singer back in 2018.
"A lot of you are just generally angry because I called out the Rajini Sir and Kamal Sir. I was a fan too. I have the right to express my disappointment from men who I foolishly and naively expected would do better - especially that one of them is an MP as well - like the characters they play in the films, which a punch line of doing the right thing. As a citizen in this country, and as a woman, a parent of kids, watching mounting cases of sexual harassment, assault, abuse by men in power every single day, while those who can make a difference turn a blind eye - it is a blazing disappointment and my right to ask a politician in a democratic, how they are leading by example," wrote the singer.
She added, "And one can be disappointed - and so many of my 'heroes', 'mentors' of all genders in the Tamil Film Industry did not do the right thing - All I ask is setting up an Internal Complaints Committee according to the Vishkha Guidelines - a safe enquiry committee where women and minors (many are minors in media) feel emboldened and safe to report which can also safeguard against false cases. I know now - a lot of men who have not been outed publicly by anyone, we know who they are - I know who will never come within a 5km radius of my children. Sadly, you won't know who they are - because there is no safe space to report a molester in Tamilnadu since you all rally to protect your sex offender buddies. Time will be your greatest teacher. And those lessons will not be kind."
Vairamuthu was announced as the winner of the Jnanpith award on Saturday, March 14.
