No Issue with Multilateral Events like Asia Cup, Clarifies Omar Abdullah
India-Pakistan Asia Cup match faces boycott calls amid terrorism tensions.
The upcoming India-Pakistan cricket match in the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September 14, has ignited a fierce debate, with demands to boycott the game intensifying following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified India’s stance, stating, “Our problem has always been with bilateral cricket matches, not multilateral tournaments like the Asia Cup.” Speaking at a briefing reported by ANI, he acknowledged the real concerns stemming from the attack, noting, “My part of the country has been the direct victim.”
India’s sports policy, as reiterated by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, prohibits bilateral contests with Pakistan due to ongoing terrorism concerns but permits participation in multilateral events like the Asia Cup and ICC tournaments, which Thakur described as a “compulsion” for nations.
However, opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), have sharply criticized the central government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for proceeding with the match.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announced plans for statewide protests in Maharashtra, arguing that boycotting the match is an opportunity to signal India’s stance against terrorism. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi echoed this sentiment, referencing India’s resolution to halt dialogue and trade with Pakistan until terrorism is eradicated.
Meanwhile, AAP’s Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj called the decision to hold the match a “gross humiliation” to victims of the Pahalgam attack, warning that party workers would publicly identify venues screening the game to discourage viewership.
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The controversy underscores the delicate balance between sports diplomacy and national sentiment, with the Asia Cup match serving as a flashpoint for broader geopolitical tensions. As India prepares to face Pakistan on the cricket field, the nation remains divided on how to honor the victims of terrorism while navigating international sporting obligations.
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