Two Australian women cricketers were allegedly molested in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday morning, sending shockwaves through the sporting and political community. The players were in the city for the Women’s Cricket World Cup when a man on a motorcycle followed them and inappropriately touched one of them before fleeing the scene. The accused, identified as Aqeel, was arrested by Friday evening after police traced him using CCTV footage and a bike number noted by a bystander.
The incident has sparked fierce criticism of the Madhya Pradesh government, with opposition parties accusing the ruling BJP of failing to ensure women’s safety and tarnishing India’s global reputation.
Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari expressed outrage, saying, “Indore is known for its hospitality, but this incident raises serious questions about law and order. The fear of the police has vanished in Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister, who also handles the Home portfolio, must answer who was responsible and what went wrong.”
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for justice. “Silence is complicity. The Madhya Pradesh government must ensure swift action and stronger deterrence,” he said. Singhvi also posted on X, describing the incident as “deeply disturbing” and a grim reminder that women’s safety must be non-negotiable, for both Indians and visitors.
The Trinamool Congress was even more critical. TMC general secretary Kunal Ghosh said, “Two Australian women cricketers were molested in an ICC-organized World Cup match in BJP-ruled Indore. This has lowered our heads before the world. A fair probe is imperative.” TMC spokesperson Sudip Raha added, “Absolutely horrifying. This is the reality of ‘Beti Bachao’ under BJP rule. Before criticizing Bengal, BJP leaders must introspect on why guests and daughters are unsafe under their governance.”
The political backlash comes amid ongoing criticism by the BJP of the West Bengal government for failing to prevent high-profile attacks on women, including the rape-murder of a woman medic at RG Kar Hospital in August 2024 and the assault on a medical student in Durgapur earlier this month.
Madhya Pradesh ministers, however, defended the government’s response. Minister Krishna Gaur praised the police for acting quickly and accused the Congress of politicizing the issue. “This is a shameful and condemnable incident. Our Zero Tolerance policy ensures strict action, and the police acted swiftly to arrest the culprit. Instead of politicizing, the opposition should focus on ensuring the perpetrator receives the harshest punishment,” she said.
Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma vowed stringent action against the accused. Sharma said, “Whether the victim is from Australia or elsewhere, their safety is our responsibility. NSA proceedings will be initiated against the perpetrator. This incident has shamed Indore, a city renowned worldwide for cleanliness and culture.” He also issued a video warning the accused, stating that the punishment would be severe enough to serve as a warning to future generations.
According to reports, the assault occurred around 11 am while the cricketers were walking from their hotel to a nearby café. Terrified, they immediately shared their live location and an emergency message with team security officer Danny Simmons. “I was reading their message when one of the players called me, crying. We immediately dispatched a car and brought them safely back to the hotel,” Simmons recounted.
Australia’s team had played matches at Holkar Stadium earlier in the week — against England on Wednesday and South Africa on Saturday. The shocking incident prompted a major security overhaul ahead of today’s semifinal-deciding clash between Australia and South Africa.
Mahaanaryaman Scindia, President of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), expressed deep regret over the incident. “We are deeply saddened, shocked, and appalled. No woman should have to endure such behavior. One person’s act has tarnished Indore’s image of warmth and respect,” he said, calling for measures to prevent such incidents in the future.