Indian minister condemned for ‘victim blaming’ after Australian women cricketers allege sexual harassment
Indian politician accused of ‘victim blaming’ after Australian cricketers allegedly assaulted
- Two Australian women cricketers reported being “touched inappropriately” by a motorcyclist in Indore, India, on 23 October, leading to an arrest.
- Kailash Vijayvargiya, a minister from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, faced criticism for suggesting the incident was “a lesson for all” and that players should inform local security and be cautious.
- Opposition politicians and social media users widely condemned Mr Vijayvargiya’s remarks as “victim blaming” and “disgusting and regressive”.
- Cricket Australia confirmed the incident and reported it to police, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) condemned the event and pledged to review safety protocols.
- Following the incident, security was significantly increased in Navi Mumbai for the team’s subsequent matches, highlighting the ongoing issue of street harassment in Indian cities.