Madhya Pradesh minister sparks outrage after remark on incident involving Australian women cricketers

A controversial comment by a Madhya Pradesh minister following the alleged molestation of two Australian women cricketers has ignited backlash over victim-blaming and women’s safety in sport.

Mumbai, October 28, 2025: In the wake of an alarming incident in which two women members of the Australian national cricket team were allegedly molested while walking near their hotel in Indore, a senior cabinet minister from Madhya Pradesh drew sharp criticism for a remark that suggested the players should have foreseen the risk and informed local authorities before venturing out. The minister stated that players should “inform at least one local person” when leaving their accommodation, added that the episode should serve as a “lesson” for everyone—including the players— and implied that their popularity and public attention contributed to the situation. His comments were widely condemned by women’s rights groups, political oppositions and cricketing circles, many calling them insensitive, regressive and an instance of victim-blaming rather than taking full responsibility for the lapse in security of an international sports delegation. Critics pointed out that the responsibility to ensure safety lies primarily with the host authorities and security apparatus, and that holding the victims accountable for being unguarded undermines efforts to make sports environments secure for women. The incident itself had already prompted urgent investigations, apologies from local associations and a public outcry about safety protocols and event-hosting credibility, with the minister’s statement further inflaming the debate. In response to growing pressure, state officials reaffirmed their commitment to investigating the security breakdown and pledged corrective measures, while civil society groups demanded the minister retract the statement and apologise. The controversy shines a spotlight on how public figures discuss gendered violence, especially when high-profile foreign athletes are involved, and raises broader questions about how host cities manage international sporting events. As the organisers assess the responses and the security agencies review their protocols, the matter remains under media scrutiny and promises to influence how future incidents are handled in India.

Follow us On Our Social media Handles :
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter

Also Read- Pune