Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, has called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to cancel India’s scheduled Asia Cup match against Pakistan, set for September 14 in Dubai, citing national security concerns. In a letter to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, Gogoi argued that playing cricket with Pakistan amid ongoing cross-border tensions, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April, is “contrary to national interest.”

Gogoi, also the Assam Congress president, emphasized that the sacrifices of India’s armed forces and the government’s firm stance against Pakistan’s role in the Pahalgam attack make bilateral cricket engagements inappropriate. “While cricket brings joy, it should not take precedence over national interest,” he wrote in the letter dated August 23, shared with the media on Monday. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “water and blood cannot flow together,” noting India’s withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty post-attack as a sign of its resolute position.

The Jorhat MP highlighted Pakistan’s decision to withdraw from a hockey event in India due to security concerns, arguing that resuming cricket ties now would undermine India’s diplomatic efforts to hold Pakistan accountable on global forums. “Engaging with Pakistan in cricket sends a message that weakens the sentiments of Indians who prioritize national security,” Gogoi asserted.

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Urging the BCCI to take a “clear stand,” Gogoi called for the suspension of cricketing ties with Pakistan until bilateral relations improve. He had previously, on August 14, appealed to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to leverage his ties with Saikia, also Assam’s advocate general, to influence the BCCI’s decision.

The call comes as India prepares to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup group stage, a high-profile match that has historically carried significant political weight. Gogoi’s demand underscores the ongoing strain in India-Pakistan relations, with the Congress leader insisting that national unity and sovereignty must guide decisions in sports diplomacy.

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