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Shiv Sena UBT, led by Uddhav Thackeray, protested the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match after the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it an insult; opposition leaders joined criticism.
Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey smashing a TV (Image: X/@TimesAlgebraIND); TMC leader Mahua Moitra (PTI photo)
Ahead of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match, Opposition parties have raised strong objections. Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) held state-wide protests opposing the match, calling it an “insult to the nation’s sentiment” in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor that followed.
In Mumbai, Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey dramatically smashed a television set during a demonstration, symbolizing rejection of the game’s broadcast. Videos from the protest site were shared on X by Times Algebra and VARTA.
“We do not want to watch this match. We want its telecast to be banned. Pakistan is a terrorist state, boycott it. We are sending this message so that the BCCI and ICC realise that no one has the right to play with the emotions of 140 crore Indians,” Dubey said. He also appealed to Indian cricketers to withdraw from the game as a mark of patriotism.
Sena protesters were seen stomping upon the broken TV sets too. The protests were part of a broader campaign announced by party leader Uddhav Thackeray.
‘India-Pakistan Match An Insult To National Sentiments’
“This cricket match is an insult to national sentiments. Should we be playing cricket with Pakistan while our soldiers sacrifice their lives on the borders?” Thackeray asked while addressing a press conference on Saturday.
Thackeray criticized the decision to proceed with the fixture, questioning the BCCI’s priorities. “The BCCI is becoming anti-national. Why is it so excited about playing with Pakistan — is it greed for TV revenue or player fees? If Pakistan can boycott the Asia Cup when it is held in India, why can’t the BCCI do the same?” Thackeray asked.
He also slammed the Union government’s silence, questioning how cricket could go on amid bloodshed at the borders. “If blood and water cannot flow together, how can cricket and blood be together?” he posted on X.
Mahua Moitra Targets BJP
Meanwhile, TMC MP Mahua Moitra took a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on X on Saturday.
Blood & water can’t flow together to PakistanBut clearly blood & cricket can.Especially when @AmitShah’s “merit-only” son’s fortunes depend on it. May the best team win .
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) September 13, 2025
“Blood & water can’t flow together to Pakistan But clearly blood & cricket can. Especially when @AmitShah’s “merit-only” son’s fortunes depend on it. May the best team win,” Moitra tweeted.
She tweeted while referring to PM Modi’s “blood and water can’t flow together” statement which he had made while supporting the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. PM Modi had made the remarks to show India’s strong stand against cross-border terrorism after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Opposition leaders from Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) joined in the criticism, calling the match a “diplomatic failure.” Congress’s Sachin Sawant said it disrespected the victims of terrorism, while NCP’s Jitendra Awhad accused the government of double standards.
Defending the match, Maharashtra minister and cricket official Ashish Shelar said multilateral tournaments like the Asia Cup aren’t subject to bilateral tensions. He emphasized India’s consistent policy of not touring Pakistan and vice versa, saying “Our stand is clear that India will not tour Pakistan and vice versa. But we cannot restrict our team from playing in a multilateral tournament.
The India-Pakistan clash is set for Sunday evening in Abu Dhabi.
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18…Read More
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18… Read More
September 14, 2025, 17:58 IST
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