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On Australian cricketers' molestation in Indore, BJP MLA cites arrested man's religion: ‘Efforts to defame…’
BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma refers to accused Aqeel Sheikh as “illegitimate children who defame Indian culture”, says such incidents also bring a bad name to Islam
A lawmaker from the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh reacted sharply — referencing religion, woman safety, and India's pride — after two Australian woman cricket players faced molestation by a man in Indore on October 23.
“The incident that took place in Indore is very unfortunate. And the government of Madhya Pradesh has taken it very seriously. Some offender named Aqeel has been caught and put in jail. He was also given a due beating!” said BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma, speaking to news agency ANI and others in Hindi in state capital Bhopal.
He then referred to the accused Aqeel Sheikh, a Muslim, as being among “some illegitimate children" who “conspire to defame Indian culture”. He alleged that “some such people” spat at doctors who went to give vaccines during the coronovirus pandemic (2020–21).
He further brought in an incident from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh wherein a 13-year-old Muslim girl was allegedly harassed by a Muslim cleric.
He went on to add: “Whether the daughter is Hindu or Muslim, guaranteeing the safety of daughters is our guarantee. Whether the daughter belongs to India or Australia, her safety is also our guarantee."
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday termed the incident unfortunate and called for strict action.
The MLA further added, “We want to tell those who are doing this kind of insolence – and also those people who foster/support them — that they should stop these kinds of acts that defame Islam. This brings disrepute to the religion of Islam.”
He said strict action would be taken and Aqeel Sheikh could also face the stringent National Security Act (NSA), a preventive detention law that allows the government to detain individuals to prevent them from acting against national security, public order, and essential services, for up to 12 months.
