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New Delhi: In the ongoing match between Indian patriarchy and women’s safety, misogyny continues to lead by an innings and several centuries. Two players from the Australia women’s national cricket team were stalked and groped by a man on a motorcycle in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, proving yet again that in India, no amount of fame or physical fitness can protect a woman from patriarchy on two wheels.

The incident occurred around 11 am on October 23, when the players were walking from their hotel to a café. The players were in Indore to play a match of the ICC Women’s World Cup which India is hosting. This was a reckless act, apparently, at least according to BJP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who later suggested the women “should not have gone out unescorted.” Translation: women’s freedom remains a crime of visibility.

Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry told The Wire: “We are all shocked. It’s not just the street anymore; the hate follows you home, into your phone.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Kumar Prateek told The Wire that the accused, identified as Aqeel, was arrested within six hours. “The accused followed the players, groped one, and attempted to grab the other before fleeing,” he said. “They immediately sent SOS alerts and their live location to their security manager, who contacted us.”

Aqeel reportedly told police he “only wanted a selfie.” Often, in India, the line between consent and convenience is blurred beyond recognition.........

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