Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray and other opposition parties have started protesting against the Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan. They have alleged that playing cricket with Pakistan in the atmosphere of terrorism is an insult to the soldiers and national sentiments.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that playing a match with a terrorist country is an insult to national sentiments. He announced to take to the streets on September 14 to protest against the match across Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray and Congress have argued that it is not right to play cricket with Pakistan when Indian soldiers are being martyred on the border. On this occasion, Uddhav Thackeray reminded the old stand of his father late Balasaheb Thackeray, who had told Javed Miandad that cricket will not be played as long as terrorist activities continue from Pakistan. Congress and NCP (SP) have also supported this protest. The Maharashtra unit of Congress called it an insult to the people killed in the Pahalgam terror attack and the martyred soldiers, while the NCP (SP) accused it of exposing the double character of the government.
In this entire matter, Maharashtra minister and BCCI representative Ashish Shelar responded to the protest by saying that international sports events should be kept separate from bilateral political deadlocks. Shelar clarified that India’s stand has always been not to tour Pakistan, but the team cannot be stopped from participating in international tournaments. He accused Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut of taking an anti-India stance and reminded Balasaheb Thackeray of hosting Javed Miandad. This development reflects the ongoing debate on India-Pakistan relations and sports diplomacy, where on the one hand there is the issue of national security and respect for soldiers, while on the other hand the argument of international sports commitments is being made.
