Opposition leaders and activists have been protesting the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan. They called the upcoming match disrespectful to the people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack (April 22) and burnt an effigy representing Pakistani cricketers in New Delhi.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will take on Pakistan in Match 6 of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14. The Men in Blue will head into the contest as favorites. Notably, the T20 World Cup champions have been in fine form in bilateral T20I series in recent times.
Calls to Cancel India–Pakistan Ties Grow After Pahalgam Terror Attack
Pakistani terrorists killed 26 civilians in the Baisaran meadow of south Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. The incident sparked demands from opposition leaders, activists, and victims’ families to cancel all ties between India and Pakistan.
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India responded with Operation Sindoor, launching missile strikes on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan retaliated with drone assaults and cross-border shelling before both sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10.
The BCCI has maintained that the Asia Cup fixture must go ahead. Officials stated that India cannot opt out of matches against Pakistan in a multilateral event. However, many fans have criticized the decision on social media, questioning the board’s priorities.
This Is a Gross Humiliation of Our Women – AAP Leader Saurabh Bharadwaj
AAP leader and former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with party workers, protested in the national capital by burning an effigy representing Pakistani players. They showed dissent against India’s Asia Cup clash with Pakistan.
“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 India-Pakistan cricket match,” Bharadwaj said while speaking to the media.
“Today, in this manner, one by one, Lok Sabha officials are taking oaths in a meeting that they will boycott the India-Pakistan match,” Bharadwaj tweeted on Sunday afternoon.
Pahalgam Victim Urges Boycott of India-Pakistan Asia Cup Match
Kanpur businessman Shubham Dwivedi was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. His wife, Aishanya, has urged citizens to boycott the upcoming India-Pakistan Asia Cup match.
Aishanya criticized the BCCI for allowing the fixture, calling the move “deeply insensitive” and accusing the board of ignoring the grief of victims’ families. She said that the decision shows a lack of respect for the lives lost in the April attack.
“Their martyrdom holds no value for the BCCI. Perhaps because none of their own were lost,” she said.
The Asia Cup 2025 began on September 9 with eight nations competing for the title. The match between India and Pakistan will take place on Sunday.
Both sides are expected to comfortably reach the Super Four stage. They can play again in the Super Four stage. Should they progress all the way to the final, fans could witness a third meeting between the two arch-rivals.
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