Minister’s Remarks Spark Controversy Over Player Safety
In the aftermath of the alleged molestation of two Australian women cricketers in Indore, Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, a senior leader of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has drawn criticism for suggesting that the athletes share partial responsibility for the incident. Speaking to local media, Vijayvargiya described the episode as a “lesson” for players to be more cautious and proactive about their own safety.
“Sometimes, players don’t realise their popularity and should be careful. This incident has happened; it’s a lesson for everyone,” he said. The minister added that athletes should inform security personnel or local authorities before venturing out from their hotels, implying that the players’ decision to walk unescorted was partly to blame. While acknowledging a security lapse, he reiterated that star athletes “must coordinate their movements” with security to prevent such occurrences.
His comments have ignited widespread criticism on social media, with many accusing the minister of victim-blaming rather than focusing on accountability and systemic security failures.
Police Action and Broader Reaction
The incident took place on Thursday morning when two members of Australia’s women’s cricket team were allegedly harassed and inappropriately touched by a motorcyclist while walking to a café near Indore’s Ring Road—roughly 500 metres from their team hotel. The players immediately informed team security, who filed a police complaint. Authorities launched a swift investigation, tracing the suspect through local surveillance footage and arresting him within six hours.
Police later confirmed that the accused, who has a prior criminal record, faces charges under India’s new criminal code for molestation and stalking. Both Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) strongly condemned the incident. The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association issued a public apology, calling it a “stain” on Indore’s reputation for hospitality.
In response, cricket authorities in both nations have vowed to tighten security arrangements for players, especially women athletes, during the remainder of the ICC Women’s World Cup. International media outlets, including AP and Reuters, reported that the arrest was made on the same day, highlighting the efficiency of the police response.
The incident has reignited global debate about the safety of women athletes on tour and the need for more robust off-field protection protocols to ensure their dignity and security in host countries.
