Will Shiv Sena(UBT) Protest Against the Indo-Pak Match?

Mumbai, Sep 11 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction has declared a protest against the upcoming India–Pakistan Asia Cup match scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, initiating the ‘Sindoor Raksha’ (My Kumkum, My Country) campaign.

Sanjay Raut, MP of Shiv Sena(UBT), stated that numerous women across Maharashtra will send ‘sindoor’ from their homes as a symbol of protest to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he accused of betrayal and treason. This protest arises particularly from the decision to permit the India–Pakistan cricket match while the memories of the 26 mothers and sisters mourning their loved ones lost in the Pahalgam terrorist attack remain fresh.

Raut remarked, “Operation Sindoor, aimed at crippling terrorist Pakistan, is still ongoing. How can we hold an India–Pakistan cricket match in Abu Dhabi on September 14? The children of BJP ministers will certainly be present in the stadium. Jay Shah, the son of Home Minister Amit Shah, oversees cricket, while Amit Shah himself preaches patriotism. They claim that Shiv Sena (UBT) has deviated from its core values, but we want to assert that we have not. In response to this betrayal, the Shiv Sena (UBT) women’s wing will commence the ‘Sindoor Raksha’ movement on Sunday.”

He added that thousands of women will send ‘sindoor’ to PM Modi, emphasizing that the Shiv Sena is taking to the streets with the mantra ‘Sindoor ke sammaan mein, Shiv Sena maidan mein’.

Raut mentioned that party leader Uddhav Thackeray convened a meeting to discuss this protest and reached a unanimous decision.

He reiterated that the cricket match contradicts public sentiment.

“The prime minister and defense minister had promised to dismantle Pakistan's power, stating that blood and water cannot coexist. So, how can blood and cricket coexist?” he questioned.

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

He emphasized that the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray had always opposed cricketing ties with Pakistan.

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

Raut critiqued the BJP, stating, “While Pakistan is inflicting pain in Kashmir, how is it acceptable for them to play cricket with us? Shouldn’t this bring about shame? This is a question the BJP must answer. Are you not the party that claims to be pro-Hindutva?”

Raut affirmed that Operation Sindoor is still active, and the anguish of families has not dissipated.

“Even today, the pain persists, yet a match with Pakistan is on the horizon. Shiv Sena cannot condone this,” he warned, indicating that the party’s women’s wing will take action.