Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 27 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday strongly condemned Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s remarks on the alleged molestation of two Australian women cricketers in Indore, calling it a reflection of a “pathetic mentality in government.”
In a post shared on the social media platform X, Thackeray criticised the minister for suggesting that the Australian players were also at fault in the incident. “As much as embarrassing the incident of @AusWomenCricket members is, the Madhya Pradesh minister calling them out and saying it’s a lesson to be ‘more careful’ makes it even worse,” Thackeray wrote.
He further said that such comments were shameful and undermined India’s global reputation.
“What a shame! Obviously the government will not act on him, but in a time when we bid for the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and when we invite investors too, to India, it is shameful to have such a pathetic mentality in the government,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader added.
Thackeray also questioned the minister’s insensitivity towards women’s safety. “Is it a crime for a woman, be it from a cricket team or not, to walk on the streets of our cities? Instead of acting strongly on the many such incidents faced by women every day, the minister saying such nonsense is a disgrace,” he said.
Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya had commented on the incident, stating that the Australian women cricketers’ sudden departure from their hotel without informing authorities was “a mistake from their side too.”
“Look, there has been a lapse. But the players suddenly leaving from there without telling anyone — they didn’t even tell their coach — this is a mistake from their side too. Because there was personal security and police security too, but they left as no one noticed, and this incident happened,” Vijayvargiya had said.
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Rajesh Dandotiya on Sunday stated that the suspect in the case, Aqueel Sheikh, has a criminal background.
“Australian team management security in-charge reported an incident where the FIR has been registered under section BNS 74 for inappropriate behaviour and BNS 78 for stalking. With the intensive strategic operation of six hours, we arrested the accused named Aqueel Sheikh, who has a criminal background… He appeared before the court yesterday, and we are interrogating him. After completing today’s police remand, we are going to produce him before the court, and we are trying to send him on a judicial remand,” Dandotiya said.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 23, when two Australian women cricketers left their team hotel in Indore to visit a nearby cafe ahead of their clash against South Africa. It was during this outing that the two players were allegedly “inappropriately touched.”
The Australian team’s management security complained about the “inappropriate behaviour” faced by the two players, and an FIR was subsequently registered. (ANI)
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