Less Than Five Months After Pahalgam Terror Attack, Opposition Leaders and Victims’ Families Question India’s Participation in Clash with Pakistan
As India and Pakistan gear up for their Asia Cup 2025 clash on September 14, the match has ignited a political and emotional storm across the country. The game, scheduled just months after the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, has triggered boycott calls from opposition leaders and grieving families.
Rising Political Tensions Before the Match
The political pitch around the India vs Pakistan cricket match has intensified:
- Opposition parties — including the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — have criticized the decision to play against Pakistan.
- Key concerns: The match is seen as insensitive, happening so soon after the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people.
What Political Leaders Are Saying
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):
- AAP workers burned a Pakistan-labelled effigy in protest.
- Former Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj urged people to boycott clubs and restaurants screening the match. “The Indian government is making our cricketers play with those who wiped our sisters’ sindoor,” he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT):
- Party leader Uddhav Thackeray referenced PM Modi’s past statement: “Water and blood cannot flow together.” “If blood and water can’t mix, how can blood and cricket?” he asked.
- MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accused Pakistani players of glorifying terrorism on social media and called for a complete boycott of playing with Pakistan.
Congress MP Imran Masood:
- Condemned the match as a money-making spectacle. “Sisters lost their husbands, and the government is allowing cricket with Pakistan? Shameful,” he said.
Grief and Outrage from Victims’ Families
- Aishanya Dwivedi, wife of martyr Shubham Dwivedi, voiced her pain and disbelief: “BCCI doesn’t care. None of their own died. Why play against Pakistan at all?”
Government’s Defense: “It’s a Multinational Obligation”
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur clarified India’s stance:
- India only participates in multinational tournaments, not bilateral series with Pakistan.
- If India withdraws, Pakistan would automatically gain match points, impacting the tournament’s integrity. “We don’t play bilaterals with Pakistan because of terrorism, but this is an ICC/ACC event.”
J&K CM Omar Abdullah echoed the distinction between bilateral and multi-team events:
“Sports often fall victim to politics. This is not a bilateral match.”
Asia Cup 2025: The Bigger Picture
- The Asia Cup 2025, featuring eight teams, began on September 9.
- The India vs Pakistan clash kicks off at 8 PM on September 14.
- Given the tournament format, multiple India-Pakistan face-offs are likely — possibly even in the final.
Key Takeaways
- The match has become a flashpoint between national security sentiment and sporting obligations.
- Emotions are still raw after the Pahalgam terror attack, intensifying the public’s sensitivity.
- While the game may proceed, the controversy surrounding it ensures that it’s more than just cricket — it’s a reflection of unresolved national wounds and political divides.
