Australian Women Cricketers Molested in Indore: Minister Vijayvargiya's Controversial Victim-Blaming Comments Spark Outrage

It's a lesson for us and for the players as well, said Kailash Vijayvargiya.

Indore:

While India hosts the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, a disturbing incident in Indore has cast a shadow over the tournament. Two prominent Australian women cricketers were allegedly molested by a motorcyclist near their accommodation. This incident, occurring in public view, has raised critical questions about security measures and ignited political controversy following remarks made by Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya.

Police reports indicate the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Aqeel alias Naitra from Khajrana, a repeat offender, was apprehended within hours of the report being filed. The incident has deeply concerned the international sporting community, particularly as it happened during a major global tournament hosting elite female cricketers in India.

However, Minister Vijayvargiya's subsequent comments have generated additional outrage. He suggested that the players should learn from this experience, stating, "Whenever any player goes anywhere, even when we go out, we always inform at least one local person. I think this will remind the players that in the future, if we leave our venue, we should inform our security or local administration before leaving, as there is a huge craze for cricket players. Cricket is a sport like football in England. I have seen football players' clothes being torn. We were staying at the hotel and having coffee. So many young men came over. Someone was asking for autographs from a famous player. A girl kissed him, and his clothes got torn. He was a very famous football player."

He continued, "Sometimes, players don't realise their popularity. Players are very popular, so they should be careful. This incident has happened; it's a lesson for everyone. It's a lesson for us and for the players as well."

In a conversation with NDTV, Vijayvargiya maintained that "while there was a security lapse, it was also the players' responsibility" to notify local authorities before venturing out. "They didn't inform anyone, they didn't tell anyone," he remarked. "But they will learn a lesson from this incident and stay cautious in the future."

These statements have prompted strong criticism from opposition parties and women's advocacy groups. Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Arun Yadav condemned the remarks as "disgusting and regressive," stating, "This incident exposes the state's failure to protect its guests. Kailash ji's remark reflects a disturbing mindset; instead of ensuring women's safety, the minister is blaming the victims. The Chief Minister himself heads the Home Ministry, and yet such incidents occur under his watch."

The controversy has divided sports authorities as well. Former Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) president Sanjay Jagdale commented, "Look, it's not possible for everyone to have security at all times. If a player goes somewhere without informing anyone, how will anyone know? If such an incident occurs, no one can be held responsible. In such a situation, players also need to be vigilant."

This isn't Vijayvargiya's first controversial statement regarding women and morality. A few months earlier, he made contentious remarks about Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying, "We are people of an old culture. In our sisters' village, Jirapur, we don't even drink water. My father used to bring a pot of water from home. Our opposition leaders today are such that they kiss their young sisters in the middle of the crossroads. I want to ask you who among you kisses your young sisters or daughters in public? This is a lack of values. These are foreign values; these came about from being brought up abroad."

At a public event in Indore in June, he sparked further controversy by stating, "I don't like girls who wear skimpy clothes. In the West, a woman wearing fewer clothes is considered beautiful. I don't agree with that. In India, we consider a girl beautiful when she dresses well, wears jewellery, and adorns herself gracefully."

He added, "Sometimes girls come to take selfies with me. I tell them, 'Beta, come in proper clothes next time, then we'll take a photo.'"

Previously, during a Hanuman Jayanti event in 2022, he remarked, "I won't lie on Hanuman Jayanti, but girls these days wear such filthy clothes. We call women goddesses, but they don't appear that way. They look like Shurpanakha. God has given you a beautiful body; at least wear decent clothes. Teach your children values."