Switzerland’s No. 1 junior Ambre Allinckx has pulled out of World Junior Squash Championships because her parents fear ‘India is unsafe for women’. Not long ago, a report by Thomson Reuters Foundation called India the most unsafe country for women.
The report sparked a debate, as some argued about its authenticity. But, for the first time, its impact is visible as a World Champion refusing to visit India is shameful, to say the least.
According to a report in New Indian Express, the Swiss coach Pascal Bhurin said,
“Ambre Allinckx is our top-ranked women’s player. She couldn’t make it because her parents did not want. They have been reading reports on the internet about how unsafe India is for women and didn’t want to take the risk of sending their daughter over. However, we have not experienced any disturbance so far.”
The Chief Executive of World Squash Federation (WSF), Andrew Shelley responded to the report too, he told TOI,
“Of course the views and choice of every parent must be fully respected. However, there are over 250 players and officials from 28 countries, including a full squad from Switzerland. Like the WSF, they all have complete confidence with the security arrangements made by Tamil Nadu Squash Rackets Association at the Championship Hotel and playing venues to ensure the safety of the players at this event.”
The incident sparked outrage on Twitter for obvious reasons:
Swiss Number 1 squash player refused to travel India, skips World Championship in Chennai
Anti-National media reporting She was scared of her safety.
(Thomson Reuters report named, India as world’s most dangerous country for women).
Jaitley gives the real reason: https://t.co/rgb5ky9HnE— सीधी-बात (@nikhilesh01) July 21, 2018
Swiss Squash player refuses to travel to India for the World Championship citing security reasons. #Modi Sarkar’s unwillingness to protect women & support for rapists is causing India tremendous embarrasment on the global stage! #BJP_भगाओ_देश_बचाओ
— Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) July 21, 2018
#Rapistan
Modi & India Rising on World Stage
Swiss Squash Player Ambre Allinckx skips World Junior Squash Championship in Chennai Bcoz India is UnSafe for Women#ModiLiesInParliament #NewIndia #Switzerland #JannKiBaat #SaveIndia #BharatBachao #NoConfidenceMotion #WahModiJiWah pic.twitter.com/MPWzA80pzY— Shriraj Kesariya (@_shriraj) July 21, 2018
Also give answers
Y india is most unsafe vfor woman in world?
Y world no.1 junior squash player refuse to visit India?
All answers were NATAK and DRAMA by BJP?
BHAKTO ko HIRNAYAKAHYAP ki Vijay dkhti hai— Mohit Jain (@MohitJa81677934) July 21, 2018
So ironic — Chennai is one of the safest places in the world for women, probably safer than Switzerland. But a bad image travels faster&wider than the truth. We must restore the world’s faith in India’s respect for women. And the responsibility starts with the Govt. #BetiBachao https://t.co/C0XwTWRyNJ
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 20, 2018
Agreed.. Totally.. India is unsafe for women. Leave about rape, has any one seen acid throwing and hacked to death just because a girl refused a stupid relationship or sexual advances? In any other country? Yup, nobody here will talk about that.
— Revathi Duraiswamy (@DJrevathi) July 21, 2018
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor vouched for the safety of women in an event in Chennai, but lamented that India has earned such an unsavoury reputation.
So ironic — Chennai is one of the safest places in the world for women, probably safer than Switzerland. But a bad image travels faster&wider than the truth. We must restore the world’s faith in India’s respect for women. And the responsibility starts with the Govt. #BetiBachao https://t.co/C0XwTWRyNJ
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 20, 2018
An association member of Tamil Nadu Squash Rackets Association reacted to the reports as well, he told The News Minute,
This is a disproportionate reaction to the situation and the participation of 280 players proves that.
There are also reports that teams have been advised to dress conservatively and keep a low profile. USA, Iran, and Australia are among other teams who have expressed concerns over the safety of their players.
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Heinous crimes against women have given rise to fear among tourists as well. The disturbing news of minors getting raped has worsened the situation. There is an urgency to bring reforms and work towards the safety of women and enforcing stringent laws for offenders. Our country has to implement effective measures to safeguard athletes or else more players will pull out of tournaments because of its tainted image.
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