Indian Minister Faces Backlash for Blaming Australian Women Cricketers in Indore Harassment Case

Two Australian women cricketers were reportedly sexually harassed by a motorcyclist while walking to a café in Indore during the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup, leading to the man's arrest. Cricket Australia and Indian cricket authorities condemned the incident and promised to review and enhance player security protocols. However, Kailash Vijayvargiya, a minister from India’s ruling BJP, blamed the players for not informing local security before stepping out, suggesting the incident was a "lesson" for both players and authorities. His remarks sparked widespread backlash on social media and from political opponents, who accused him of victim-blaming and deflecting responsibility from authorities. The incident shed light on broader issues of street harassment in India and prompted calls for stricter punishment for the accused. The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association apologized for the incident, acknowledging it as damaging to the city’s reputation for hospitality.