A remark by Indian minister Kailash Vijayvargiya blaming two Australian women cricketers for being harassed in Indore has triggered widespread condemnation across India and abroad.

The players were “touched inappropriately” by a motorcyclist last Thursday while walking to a café — an incident that drew swift global outrage and calls for justice.

Police confirmed that the suspect, identified as Aqeel, a known offender, was arrested within six hours of the assault. Yet, it was Vijayvargiya’s reaction, rather than the crime itself, that has become the center of public fury.

Minister blames players for not informing authorities

Speaking to reporters, Vijayvargiya, who serves as Madhya Pradesh’s minister for urban development, housing, and parliamentary affairs, said the episode was “a lapse” on the part of both authorities and the players, suggesting the women were at fault for leaving their hotel unaccompanied.

What can be more pathetic😡

No accountability,no responsibilty,no decency,no morals🤷‍♂️

BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya brushing off the molestation of Australian players as just 'fan moments shows how this power drunk regime sees ‘women’🙄Cc @CricketAus pic.twitter.com/P56az0FiUx
— Avishek Goyal (@AG_knocks) October 26, 2025

“See, a lapse has definitely happened. But the Australian women cricketers left from the hotel without informing anyone, not even their head coach. This was their fault,” he told NDTV. He further remarked that the players “went out gossiping” and failed to alert their security staff.

“They had the security staff there — both personal and policemen. But the cricketers just went out of the team hotel while gossiping, and that’s why this incident happened,” Vijayvargiya added.

'Other cricketers will learn a lesson,' says minister

Despite backlash, the minister stood by his comments, calling the episode “a lesson” for others. “The incident is unfortunate. Other cricketers will also learn a lesson that when they are in another city or country, they must be concerned about their own security and well-being,” he said.

Vijayvargiya also told reporters that players should always inform local security or administration before stepping out because of their “popularity.”

Also Read: Two Australian women cricketers molested in India's Indore

“There’s a craze for cricket here, like football in England. Players are very popular, so they must take care whenever they step out,” he stated.

Outrage over victim-blaming remarks

The comments have provoked a wave of criticism from opposition leaders, journalists, and citizens, many accusing the minister of victim-blaming and insensitivity.

Congress leader Arun Yadav called the remarks “disgusting and regressive,” while singer Chinmayi Sripaada posted on X: “BJP Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya basically says women visiting another city must worry about their own safety when stepping out. So basically, it was the women’s fault.”

Another user wrote that such statements “only deepen India’s embarrassment on the global stage,” adding that instead of condemning the culprits, the minister chose to “lecture the victims.”

Global condemnation and official response

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) swiftly condemned the harassment, describing it as a “deeply regrettable and isolated incident.” Secretary Devajit Saikia said the board would review safety protocols to ensure such episodes are not repeated.

The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) also issued a formal apology to the Australian team, expressing “deep regret” and promising stricter local coordination for player safety.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar called for swift and severe punishment for the perpetrator. “You lock him up and throw away the keys. That’s the only way such criminals should be treated,” he told India Today TV.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia confirmed that the players were “approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist” after their win against England, and said it was coordinating with local authorities and the BCCI.

Vijayvargiya’s history of controversial remarks

This is not the first time the minister has drawn criticism for sexist or controversial comments. A few months earlier, he made headlines for saying he disliked women who wear “short or revealing clothes,” admitting that he had refused to take photos with them in the past.

Although Vijayvargiya later called the Indore incident “shameful” and claimed strict action had been taken, his repeated insistence that the players were partly responsible has left many questioning his judgment.