Australian cricketers stalked, molested in India’s Madhya Pradesh state
34,000 rape cases in year expose alarming state of women’s safety in India
Bhopal: In yet another troubling incident highlighting women’s insecurity in India, two Australian women cricketers participating in the ICC Women’s World Cup were stalked and inappropriately touched by a motorcyclist in Indore city of Madhya Pradesh state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred when the players left their hotel to visit a café, a day after Australia’s six-wicket win over England in the World Cup group stage.
“The security officers of the Australian women’s cricket team reported that two team members faced inappropriate behavior,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotiya. “A First Information Report (FIR) was registered, and the accused has been identified and arrested.”
Cricket Australia confirmed the incident, stating: “The matter was reported by team security to the police, who are handling it.” Neither the players nor the accused have been publicly identified.
The Times of India reported that one of the cricketers sent a distress message to the team’s security manager, saying, “There is a guy following us, trying to grab us.” Team officials promptly reached the location to assist the players.
Violence against women remains a pervasive issue in India, where nearly 90 cases of rape were reported daily in 2022.
Cricket Australia said both players were “shaken but safe” and confirmed that the board was in close contact with Indian officials to ensure the safety of its players during the ongoing tour.
According to AsiaOne, the incident in Indore once again exposes the alarming state of women’s safety in India. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the lack of adequate protection for foreign athletes and women in general across India. As per official data, a woman is raped every 15 minutes in the country. The Indian Home Ministry’s annual crime report recorded nearly 34,000 rape cases last year — a figure that rights activists say represents only a fraction of the actual assaults.
Women’s rights groups have urged the Indian authorities to take immediate and concrete steps to strengthen protection measures and ensure justice for victims of gender-based violence.
