Is Playing a Match with Pakistan an Anti-National Act?

Mumbai, Sep 13 (NationPress) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has criticized the government for permitting the India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket encounter in Dubai on Sunday, labeling it as “anti-national” and a “disgrace” to millions of Hindus.

In a scathing article published in the party's official publication Saamna, Thackeray's faction stated, “This is yet another grave ‘terrorist’ assault following the Pahalgam incident. It offends the sentiments of countless Hindus and the mothers and sisters whose vermilion was washed away after losing their loved ones.”

Criticizing the government's decision to proceed with the cricket match against Pakistan while “trampling on the sentiments of the nation and the vermilion,” the editorial emphasized, “When Javed Miandad came to ‘Matoshree’ to promote Pakistani cricket, the founder of Shiv Sena, Balasaheb Thackeray, warned him, ‘As long as you continue to spill the blood of Hindus in Kashmir, cricket with Pakistan is off the table. Terrorism and cricket cannot coexist!’”

The piece asserted, “It is imperative for the people to stand up for India's self-esteem and the dignity of vermilion. Is cricket more vital than teaching Pakistan a lesson?”

It further described cricket matches with Pakistan as a form of “gambling”, suggesting that the BJP is the “beneficiary.”

The editorial also claimed, “Patriotism and other values have become mere tools for winning elections and garnering votes. If that were not the case, they would not have added insult to the wounds of the Pahalgam attack victims by approving the India-Pakistan cricket match.”

Thackeray's faction insisted, “There exists a public sentiment against playing cricket with Pakistan. The blood shed in the Pahalgam attack is still fresh. Tears continue to flow from the eyes of 26 sisters. The families and friends of the deceased are yet to heal from their grief. Pakistan persists in its terrorist activities. Hence, while the populace is furious with Pakistan, the Modi government permitted the India-Pakistan match citing 'global' and 'international' regulations.”

It condemned the government for halting Operation Sindoor under pressure from US President Donald Trump, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks about “America being our ally.”

The editorial also criticized Modi's visit to China, stating, “Pakistan is executing terrorist operations with support from the dragon.”

Pointing out that in the Pahalgam attack, the perpetrators identified their victims by religion, the Thackeray camp quipped, “Now the question remains whether, for the India-Pakistan cricket match, the cricketers from our neighboring country have converted, or whether Indian players have undergone their own ideological circumcision.”