Controversy Over India-Pakistan Asia Cup Match Reaches Boiling Point
Maharashtra opposition slams BJP, BCCI for allowing India-Pakistan Asia Cup game.
Opposition parties in Maharashtra have sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for allowing the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match scheduled for September 14 in Abu Dhabi. The criticism follows recent terror attacks, including the Pahalgam incident, with leaders questioning the decision to engage in cricket with a nation accused of sponsoring terrorism.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray demanded a boycott, asking, “If blood and water cannot flow together, how can cricket and blood?” He accused the BCCI of prioritizing revenue from TV and advertisements over national sentiment.
Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant called the match a “diplomatic failure” and an insult to families of soldiers and victims of terror attacks. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past statement that “water and blood cannot flow together,” questioning the government’s silence.
Similarly, NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad accused the BJP of double standards, highlighting the contradiction between its anti-Pakistan rhetoric and allowing the match. The opposition argues that Pakistan’s history of boycotting events in India, including the Asia Cup, justifies a reciprocal stance.
In response, Maharashtra minister and BCCI representative Ashish Shelar defended the decision, stating that international tournaments like the Asia Cup, governed by the Asian Cricket Council, cannot be dictated by bilateral tensions. He clarified that India’s team will not tour Pakistan, maintaining a consistent policy. Shelar also criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s “anti-India” stance, noting that late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray had once hosted Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad.
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The controversy has sparked broader debate as Shiv Sena (UBT) plans a “Sindoor Raksha” protest campaign on match day to oppose India’s participation. With the Asia Cup being a major regional tournament, the decision to proceed has intensified political tensions, reflecting the complex interplay of sports, diplomacy, and national security in India-Pakistan relations.
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