Kamal Hassan opposes death penalty for rapists

Renowned actor Kamal Hassan said that he was ashamed of the gang-rape of the 23-year-old girl in Delhi, but was against awarding death penalty to rapists.

"I am against the decision to give them capital punishment because it is not the right way to deal a crime with another crime. Capital punishment itself is a judicially assisted murder," he told reporters here.

"It is my bus, it is my capital. The girl is my sister and it is my brother who has done it. I am ashamed," he said. The rape of the paramedical student on December 16 on a moving bus has evoked anger and nationwide protests for the past few days.

The protests took an ugly turn on Sunday (December 23) in Delhi when hooligans and some political elements hijacked the peaceful protests, resulting in violence and attacks on public property and police, which retaliated with teargas and water cannons, leading to injuries to persons on both sides.

Kamal Hassan was in Kochi for the audio release of his latest flick Vishwaroopam along with Pooja Kumar. The movie will be released on January 11. However, a day before the theatre release, the multilingual film will have a premier show on DTH.