There is a massive outrage in Madhya Pradesh. First, over the molestation of two Australian women players, and then over a BJP minister’s remark on the incident that has added fuel to the fire.
The man accused of molesting the players in Indore has been arrested.
He has been identified as 30-year-old Aqeel Khan. Police say he is a serial offender, with a history of similar crimes.
Australian players molested
The incident occurred on the morning of October 23, just two days before Australia’s match against South Africa.
The Australian cricketers were walking from their hotel to a café in Indore when Khan spotted them.
Police said that Khan, who was riding a motorcycle without a registration number, first noticed the players walking towards the café.
While approaching the cricketers on his bike, Khan tried to grab one of them, then sped off.
He returned moments later and groped the other cricketer before fleeing.
The cricketers then informed their security manager, Danny Simmon,s about the incident, following which a complaint was lodged at the MIG road police station.
During police interrogation, Khan admitted to molesting and stalking the players.
Khan was produced before a local court on Sunday. He has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days.
Vijayvargiya's remarks stirs row
But the incident has snowballed into a bigger political storm.
Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s comments on the incident have sparked outrage.
The minister said that the players should learn a lesson from the incident, and went on to blame the victims, saying it was the Australian players’ responsibility to inform local authorities before stepping out.
His statements drew strong condemnation from opposition parties. Former union minister and senior Congress leader Arun Yadav slammed the BJP minister and called his remarks "disgusting and regressive,".
The stalking and molestation of Australian women cricketers has cast a shadow over the ongoing international tournament.
The incident has not only raised serious questions about the state’s security arrangements and women’s safety, but has also dented India’s stature on the global cricketing stage.
