The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which represents thousands of workers and technicians in India’s media and entertainment industry, has made a strong appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They’re urging him to block the telecast of the upcoming India-Pakistan Asia Cup match in India. FWICE calls this broadcast an insult to the memory of Indian martyrs and a slap in the face to the families still grieving from terror attacks.
This high-stakes cricket clash between India and Pakistan always draws massive excitement during events like the Asia Cup or ICC tournaments. That’s because the two nations haven’t played any bilateral series since 2013, thanks to ongoing political tensions. But this time, the mood is different. After the horrific Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, where 26 civilians including women and children lost their lives in Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s Operation Sindoor response against Pakistan-backed terrorism, many fans and political leaders are speaking out against the match. The game is set for Sunday in Dubai.
In their heartfelt letter to PM Modi, FWICE highlights the pain India has faced from repeated terror strikes sponsored by Pakistan. They point to the 2019 Pulwama attack, where 40 CRPF jawans died in a suicide bombing by Pakistan-supported militants—a tragedy that still haunts the nation. The recent Pahalgam massacre has only deepened the wounds, leaving behind widows, heartbroken parents, and orphaned children whose lives are shattered forever.
"Our soldiers’ sacrifices and our people’s tears can’t be ignored," the letter states. FWICE says the idea of airing the India vs Pakistan cricket match right now feels wrong to many, including their members. It would disrespect the martyrs, hurt grieving families, and send the wrong signal of "business as usual" with a nation that keeps fueling violence against Indians.
The group also reminds the PM of past government guidelines from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. These rules told Indian media and entertainment folks to cut all ties with Pakistan and its artists. "Broadcasting this Pakistan cricket match goes against those instructions and the anger felt by millions of Indians," they argue. For FWICE, nothing should come before honoring the nation and remembering terror victims—not even big entertainment or money-making deals.
They end by asking PM Modi to step in and stop the telecast. "This will show India’s united stand against terrorism and protect the dignity of our heroes," the letter concludes, expressing faith in his leadership.
Meanwhile, the Asia Cup is off to a strong start. India crushed UAE by nine wickets, while Pakistan beat Oman by 93 runs on Friday. Here’s a quick look at the squads:
India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
Pakistan Squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.
As debates heat up over India-Pakistan cricket amid terror concerns, cricket fans are watching closely. Will the match air in India, or will national sentiment win out? Stay tuned for updates on this Asia Cup controversy.
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