The incident in Indore, where two Australian women cricketers were allegedly harassed and molested while walking to a café, is a disturbing reminder of how women’s safety remains fragile even in environments presumed secure. That this occurred during an international sporting event, under the umbrella of organised security and global scrutiny, magnifies the sense of unease. It forces India to confront once again an uncomfortable truth: that the vulnerability of women in public spaces is not confined to ordinary circumstances but can pierce even the most structured systems of oversight.

The quick response of the police and the strong condemnation by cricket authorities deserve acknowledgment. Within hours, the accused was identified through CCTV footage and arrested, signalling that enforcement mechanisms can act decisively when alertness and intent converge. Yet, this cannot be the end of the conversation. Justice after an incident, however swift, is no substitute........

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