Ashish Shelar Criticizes Shiv Sena UBT Over Asia Cup Match Protest

Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar sharply criticized the Shiv Sena (UBT) for opposing India’s participation in a cricket match against Pakistan during the Asia Cup tournament in Abu Dhabi on September 14. Speaking to reporters, Shelar argued that international sporting events should not be dictated by bilateral political tensions, condemning Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s stance as “anti-India.”

Shelar reiterated the Indian government’s policy that the Indian cricket team will not tour Pakistan, nor will Pakistan tour India. However, he emphasized that restricting India’s participation in international tournaments like the Asia Cup is inappropriate. Raut had announced a “Sindoor Rakhsa” campaign on September 14 to protest the match, labeling India’s participation as a “betrayal.” Shelar countered by recalling that late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray once hosted Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad at his residence, highlighting the inconsistency in the party’s current position.

The minister also condemned a purported video showing individuals offering milk to a poster of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, accusing Shiv Sena (UBT) and its allies in the INDIA bloc of maintaining “selective silence” due to their political alignment with the Congress. He pointed out their vocal opposition to renaming a metro station after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while remaining silent on actions glorifying Aurangzeb.

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Addressing the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Shelar expressed confidence in the ruling alliance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), stating they would contest jointly and secure the mayoral position. He dismissed the opposition INDIA bloc’s inability to accept electoral defeats, citing their alleged cross-voting for NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan in the vice-presidential polls. Shelar thanked Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for securing additional votes, though he refrained from further public comment.

Shelar also defended Union Minister Nitin Gadkari against Congress allegations of a “conflict of interest” in promoting ethanol production, dismissing the claims as part of “paid campaigns” targeting Gadkari’s clean public image. He suggested that “urban naxals” were behind efforts to malign leaders whose policies, such as ethanol-blended fuel, benefit the public and the environment. Shelar underscored the BJP government’s commitment to eco-friendly fuel policies, which he said have garnered support from both environmental activists and the public.

The minister’s remarks highlight escalating political tensions in Maharashtra, as the ruling alliance and opposition clash over issues ranging from cultural symbolism to electoral strategies.

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