‘Daughters should learn to use dagger along with guitar’:Harassment of Australian cricketers in Indore sparks outrage; locals say, ‘We’ve no faith in the system’

Urban Administration Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s statement following the harassment of Australian women cricketers in Indore has triggered widespread criticism. Vijayvargiya said, If players leave their place, they should inform our security or the local administration. Even when we go out, we at least inform one local person. The remark, made amid a nationwide debate on women’s safety, has raised sharp questions — has Indore become so unsafe that every woman must now inform someone before stepping out? The incident has not only questioned the functioning of the city’s administrative machinery but also reignited a deep public debate on the safety of women in Indore, a city that proudly calls itself ‘smart.’ Every woman has the right to walk freely For many women in Indore, the incident has hit home. Athlete Chaitanya Parmar, who travels 8 kilometers daily for practice, said, I pass through this road every day. Nothing has happened to me so far, but even thinking about this incident is horrifying. They were women athletes from abroad — they should have been given better security. Such an incident in Indore is a blot on the city’s image. Every woman has the right to feel safe. ‘Don’t expect from system, ensure your own safety’ Among the city’s youth, the reaction has been a mix of anger and disappointment. Student Mohini Hanotia said, Trust in the system has been lost. When I heard about the harassment of Australian women players, I felt very bad. If Indore’s own girls are not safe, how can those coming from outside be? Social worker Mala Singh Thakur offered a different perspective, saying, The administration has its limitations. When it comes to security, we organise Ahilya Shakti camps where girls are taught self-defense. Our slogan is — Your security is in your hands. Self-confidence is the biggest weapon. She added, “It’s not right to depend on others for safety. We teach our children to play guitar, which is good, but given today’s conditions, daughters should also learn to use daggers. The administration may do its part, but we too must use technology to protect ourselves.” From little girls to elderly, no one feels safe Alka Saini, co-head of publicity at Swadeshi Jagran Manch, believes the issue extends beyond young women. She said, In Indore, no one — from a 4-year-old girl to an 80-year-old woman — is safe. When elderly women go for morning walks, their chains are snatched. She pointed out that women constantly remain on alert to protect themselves. ‘We talk about safety, but you cannot imagine how much effort a woman makes to avoid wrong touches or unwanted attention.’ Saini also criticised the Police Commissionerate system, saying, Since it was implemented, crime has increased. Police are often busy allowing trucks into no-entry zones or setting up barricades at night instead of focusing on safety. ‘Providing safety is the administration’s responsibility’ Former Indore Mayor and BJP leader Umashashi Sharma said that rapid urbanisation and migration have created new challenges. “Indore is becoming a metro city. There should be strict checks on anti-social elements entering the city. Women also need to remain empowered and learn self-defense,” she said. However, Sharma questioned Vijayvargiya’s statement. “Asking a woman cricketer to inform before leaving — fine. But what about ordinary women? How and whom will they inform every time they step out? It’s the administration’s responsibility to provide a safe environment. When such incidents occur, they tarnish the city’s image.” Women Congress: ‘Minister’s statement admits system failure’ The opposition has strongly criticised the government over the minister’s remarks. Sonali Mimrot Bhatia, Women Congress State General Secretary, said, “Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s statement is an admission that the system has failed. It’s tragic that this happened with women players from Australia, but even more unfortunate are the minister’s comments afterward.” She added, “Saying that they should have taken security means admitting that the government cannot ensure women’s safety. This also highlights the failure of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, who is also the Home Minister. Indore may be No.1 in cleanliness, but now its name is being associated with women’s insecurity. This is shameful and condemnable.” MP ranks second in public harassment cases According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 report, Madhya Pradesh ranks second in cases of harassment in public places and fifth in sexual harassment cases. In 2023 alone, 1,005 cases of stalking and harassment of women were registered. The state ranks fourth nationwide in such cases, with Maharashtra at the top. MP also remains among the top five states for harassment and misconduct in other public spaces. 7 danger zones in Indore identified Local reports and residents have identified 7 locations in Indore as harassment-prone areas. These include Khajrana Road, Ring Road, Azad Nagar, Kanadiya Diamond Colony and its surroundings, Vijay Nagar, Bhanwarkuan, and Naya Basera LIG Square. Women travelling through these areas, especially at night, have often reported instances of stalking, catcalling, and harassment.