Uddhav Thackeray Questions India’s Asia Cup 2025 Match Against Pakistan Amid Patriotism Row
Mumbai’s political heat is rising over cricket, with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray slamming the government’s decision to let India play Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Thackeray didn’t hold back, accusing leaders of mixing politics, business, and patriotism for profit.
"Our Prime Minister once said blood and water can’t flow together—so how can blood and cricket mix? How can we talk war and play cricket at the same time?" Thackeray asked. He claimed the government prioritizes money from the match, adding, "They’ve turned patriotism into business. Tomorrow’s game is all about the cash they’ll earn."
To drive his point home, Thackeray announced a unique protest by Shiv Sena (UBT) women workers across Maharashtra. "Tomorrow, our women will hit the streets and send sindoor from every house to PM Modi," he said, symbolizing a strong message against the India-Pakistan cricket clash.
On the other side, BJP MP Anurag Thakur defended India’s participation. He explained that multinational tournaments like the Asia Cup, run by the ACC or ICC, are a must for teams. "If India skips, we lose points and get eliminated—it’s that simple," Thakur told reporters. But he was clear on bilateral series: "India won’t play one-on-one matches with Pakistan until they stop terror attacks on our soil. That’s our firm stand for years."
The controversy ties back to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 lives were lost, followed by India’s Operation Sindoor. This Asia Cup 2025 India vs Pakistan match marks their first international face-off since those tragic events.
Adding a personal touch, Aishanya Dwivedi, wife of victim Shubham Dwivedi, urged fans to boycott the Sunday showdown. "I just can’t make sense of this. Please, don’t watch the match—turn off your TVs and stay away," she told . She hit out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying, "The BCCI isn’t thinking about the 26 families or those who sacrificed in Operation Sindoor. They shouldn’t have agreed to this India-Pakistan cricket match."
Opposition voices had demanded a full boycott ahead of the game, but the central government gave the green light for India to compete in multi-nation events like the Asia Cup. As cricket fans gear up, this debate blends sports passion with national security concerns—will it affect the game’s vibe? Stay tuned for updates on Asia Cup 2025.
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