Opposition Slams India-Pakistan Asia Cup Clash After Pahalgam Terror Attack

Political tensions have flared ahead of India’s Asia Cup match against Pakistan, with opposition parties questioning the timing of the game in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, south Kashmir, that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

Leaders from Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and AIMIM criticised the government, saying that holding a high-profile cricket match with Pakistan so soon after the attack undermines national sentiment.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past statement that “blood and water cannot flow together,” asking if financial gains for the BCCI outweighed the lives lost. “Is the value of money more than the lives of our 26 citizens?” he said, pledging continued support for victims’ families.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray announced Sindoor protests across Maharashtra and urged citizens to boycott the match. “Till the time terror does not stop, we shouldn’t maintain any relations with Pakistan,” he said, calling the match “an insult to national sentiments.”

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj led a protest in Delhi, burning an effigy symbolising Pakistani players. He said, “This is a gross humiliation of our women who lost their husbands in the Pahalgam attack, but still our central leadership is going ahead with the match.”

Congress MP Imran Masood also attacked the government, accusing it of chasing profits while ignoring the widows and families of victims. “Their lives were shattered, and yet the government is busy making money from cricket. This is shameful,” he said.