Two days after the alleged molestation of two Australian women cricketers in Indore, Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya sparked controversy with his remark calling the incident a “lesson,” while suggesting that international players should inform local authorities before leaving their accommodations, a statement widely criticised as “victim-blaming.”
“Players must keep in mind that when they leave their place, their security and the local administration should be informed because there is a huge craze for cricketers in India,” Vijayvargiya told reporters.
“This incident is a lesson (sabak) for everyone, both for us [authorities] and for the players… Sometimes, players don’t realise their popularity. It’s a lesson for the players,” he said.
The minister drew parallels with incidents he witnessed, recalling how a well-known English football player’s clothing was torn off by fans at a hotel in England in his presence.
In a separate NDTV interview, he said, “Look, there has been a lapse [in security]. But the players suddenly left from there without telling anyone; they didn’t even tell their coach. This is a mistake from their side too… They should have been more careful.”
Many argued that instead of focusing on systemic failures, like inadequate security for international guests during a major event or the state’s law-and-order issues, he implied the women should restrict their movements to avoid harassment.
Congress senior leader Arun Yadav called it “unfortunate and utterly disgusting,” saying it exposes the BJP’s “troubling mindset” that blames victims instead of fixing law and order. MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari and leader Mumtaz Patel echoed this, labelling it a “stain” on Madhya Pradesh.
Social media erupted with outrage over Kailash Vijayvargiya’s remarks, with hashtags like #KailashVijayvargiya, #WomenSafety, and #IndoreMolestation trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Users called his comments “shameful” and “most shameful,” condemning them as “a lesson in victim-blaming” and “an attempt to shift focus from security failures.” Many highlighted the “widespread criticism for blaming victims instead of addressing safety issues.”
Women’s rights activists echoed the sentiment, calling the remarks “textbook victim-blaming, policing women’s movements while rationalizing criminal behaviour by men.”
But this isn’t the first time Kailash Vijayvargiya has stirred controversy with his remarks about women and morality.
Just a few months ago, he drew criticism for his comments on Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying, “We are people of an old culture. In our sisters’ village, Jirapur, we don’t even drink water. My father used to bring water from home. Our opposition leaders today are such that they kiss their young sisters in the middle of the crossroads. I want to ask you, who among you kisses your young sisters or daughters in public? This is a lack of values. These are foreign values; they came about from being brought up abroad.”
In June, during another public event in Indore, Vijayvargiya again made sexist remarks, stating, “I don’t like girls who wear skimpy clothes. In the West, a woman wearing fewer clothes is considered beautiful. I don’t agree with that. In India, we consider a girl beautiful when she dresses well, wears jewellery, and adorns herself gracefully.”
He further said, “Sometimes girls come to take selfies with me. I tell them, ‘Beta, come in proper clothes next time, then we’ll take a photo.’”
Earlier, during a Hanuman Jayanti event in 2022, he had made similar comments, saying, “I won’t lie on Hanuman Jayanti, but girls these days wear such filthy clothes. We call women goddesses, but they don’t appear that way, they look like Shurpanakha. God has given you a beautiful body; at least wear decent clothes. Teach your children values.”
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