Mumbai, Sep 11 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction declared on Thursday its intention to stage a protest against the upcoming India–Pakistan Asia Cup match set for September 14 in Dubai, launching the ‘Sindoor Raksha’ (My Kumkum, My Country) initiative.

Shiv Sena(UBT) MP Sanjay Raut stated that thousands of women across Maharashtra would send ‘sindoor’ from their homes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an act of protest against what he termed betrayal and treason, particularly criticizing the decision to permit the India–Pakistan cricket match, while the anguish of the 26 families affected by the Pahalgam terrorist attack remains fresh.

Raut asserted, “The Operation Sindoor, aimed at dismantling terrorist Pakistan, is not concluded. Yet, an India–Pakistan cricket match is scheduled in Abu Dhabi on September 14. We expect children of BJP ministers to be in the audience. Jay Shah, son of Amit Shah, oversees cricket, while Amit Shah himself lectures us on patriotism. They argue that Shiv Sena (UBT) has strayed from its core values, but we want to clarify that we remain committed to our principles. To protest this betrayal, the Shiv Sena (UBT) women’s wing will launch the ‘Sindoor Raksha’ movement on Sunday.”

Raut mentioned that thousands of women from Maharashtra would send ‘sindoor’ to Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing that in defense of ‘sindoor’, Shiv Sena is mobilizing with the message ‘Sindoor ke sammaan mein, Shiv Sena maidan mein’.

He noted that party leader Uddhav Thackeray convened a meeting to make this decision.

He reiterated that the India–Pakistan cricket match is contrary to public sentiment.

“The prime minister and the defense minister claimed that India would dismantle Pakistan, stating that blood and water cannot coexist. How is it possible for blood and cricket to coexist?” he questioned.

Raut challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to clarify their stance on the upcoming match.

He further remarked that Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray consistently opposed cricket ties between India and Pakistan.

“When Javed Miandad visited our home, Balasaheb Thackeray told him to have tea and depart. We are not here to endorse such matches,” he added.

Raut criticized the BJP on this matter, stating, “On one hand, Pakistan is causing bloodshed in Kashmir; how can it engage in a cricket match with us? Shouldn’t this provoke shame? This is a question the Bharatiya Janata Party must address. At the very least, speak out against it. Are you not the party that proclaims to be pro-Hindutva?”

Raut asserted that Operation Sindoor remains unfinished and the cries of women have not ceased.

“Even now, there is widespread pain, and yet you are organizing a match with Pakistan. Shiv Sena cannot accept this,” he warned, indicating that the party’s women’s wing will take to the streets.