Actor Amitabh Bachchan, who is the brand ambassador of government of India's Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme, was recently asked about the rise in sexual attacks on women and children on a regular basis, and he said it disgusts him to even talk about it.
During his interaction with the media at a song launch event of his upcoming film 102 Not Out, Bachchan was asked about the Kathua and Unnao rape cases. “Please don’t ask me about this issue, as it disgusts me to talk about it,” the actor replied.
The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign stresses the need to stop discriminating between a son and a daughter. During an earlier event to promote the campaign, Bachchan said the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao mission was a way towards women empowerment.
“It’s time we realise that half of the country’s population can’t be left behind by making them feel neglected and helpless. They should be equal partners in the country’s development,” the actor said at the time. Quoting an old Sanskrit mantra, Bachchan also pointed out that women have been given an important place even in our religious beliefs. For instance, Goddess Saraswati is the symbol of knowledge, Lakshmi of wealth and Durga and Kali represent strength and power.
“In the present scenario, this imagination will become a reality only if the position of a man and a woman is equal in the society. Equal number of daughters should be born as sons and they should be raised and educated properly so that they are able to play their rightful role in life,” he said.
Bachchan is currently gearing up for the release of 102 Not Out, which is based on a Gujarati play by the same name. The plot revolves around Bachchan, who plays a 102-year-old man, and his efforts to break the record for the oldest person in the world, held in the movie by a Chinese Man.
