New Delhi: Congress leader Pawan Khera has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he describes as "hypocrisy" in their response to the alleged harassment of two Australian women cricketers in Indore. The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning during the ongoing Women's World Cup, involved a motorcyclist reportedly approaching and inappropriately touching the cricketers as they were heading to a cafe from their hotel.
Khera asserted that the BJP tends to react strongly to such incidents only when they occur in states governed by the Congress party. He questioned the effectiveness of this selective outrage in improving women's safety across the nation. "Such incidents are on the rise, but unfortunately, the BJP only hits the roads when it happens in Congress-ruled states. This hypocrisy would not improve the situation of women's safety," Khera told ANI. He urged all political parties to unite against crimes against women and collaborate on policies to create a safer environment for them.
Cricket Australia confirmed the incident and reported that the team's management security filed a complaint, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). Indore's Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rajesh Dandotiyan, stated that the accused, identified as Aqueel, has been arrested following an investigation.
The Congress leader's remarks come amidst heightened scrutiny of women's safety and law enforcement's responsiveness in various states. Khera's criticism highlights the ongoing political debate surrounding the handling of crime and the perceived politicization of law enforcement based on party affiliations. He also took on the Centre over the bus accident in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer.
Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitendra Patwari also condemned the incident and urged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to take cognizance of the case. "When an international cricket match is organised in any city, the government plays an important role in the security of the players. Respecting and honouring guests is the responsibility of all of us," Patwari stated. He added that such an incident in Indore is a matter of shame.
