ISLAMABAD: Indian Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has triggered widespread outrage after suggesting that two Australian women cricketers “should learn a lesson” following their molestation in Indore, instead of condemning the attack and addressing the security lapse.
The incident occurred when two members of Australia’s women's cricket team were reportedly touched inappropriately by a man on a motorcycle while walking from their hotel to a cafe in Indore during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Police said the suspect was later tracked down and arrested after the team’s security filed a complaint.
Rather than focusing on the crime, BJP-led Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Vijayvargiya implied that the players were at fault for not informing local authorities before stepping out, saying they “should be aware of their popularity.”
His victim-blaming remarks have been condemned as insensitive and regressive.
The comments have drawn sharp criticism from civil society, opposition leaders, and social media users, who accused the minister of normalizing harassment and undermining women’s safety in India.
Indian singer and voice actress Chinmayi Sripaada said:
“BJP Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya basically says here that women visiting another city/country must be worried/concerned/think about their own safety when stepping out without telling anyone. So basically, it was the women's fault.”
An X user Veena Jain wrote on X, formerly Twitter:
“Do you know why India is failing to attract foreign tourists despite being a beautiful country? Because of people like MP Govt minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is blaming Australian women cricketers only for molestation instead of apologizing. Shame 🤮.”
Another user, Avishek Goyal, wrote:
“What can be more pathetic? No accountability, no responsibility, no decency, no morals. BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya brushing off the molestation of Australian players as just ‘fan moments’ shows how this power-drunk regime sees women.”
User Vishnukant posted:
“Ruling party minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the players should ‘learn a lesson.’ He added that they should have informed a local person before going out. Why are BJP and media houses silent now?”
This is not the first time Vijayvargiya has made controversial remarks about women and morality. His repeated statements on “cultural values” and public behavior have often drawn condemnation, reinforcing concerns over misogynistic attitudes within sections of India’s political leadership.
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