The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Sunday staged demonstrations across Maharashtra against India’s Asia Cup match against Pakistan in Dubai, with party workers raising slogans, destroying a television set, and demanding a halt to the live broadcast.
Protest against live telecast
Party leader Anand Dubey wrote to Sony Pictures Networks India, urging the broadcaster to stop the telecast of the high-voltage clash. “We request you put a complete ban on the live broadcast of India-Pakistan Asia Cup match, 2025. The match should not be broadcast in India,” Dubey’s letter stated.
Thackeray’s sharp criticism
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said women workers would send sindoor from households to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a symbolic protest. Questioning the government’s stand, he said, “Our Prime Minister said blood and water cannot flow together, then how can blood and cricket flow together? They are doing business in patriotism for money.”
Wider political reactions
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also slammed the Centre, asking why India was engaging in cricket with Pakistan after the April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. “How can financial profits justify the loss of human lives?” Owaisi asked.
Former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur clarified that while India continues to avoid bilateral matches with Pakistan, participation in multinational events organised by ICC or ACC is unavoidable. “If we don’t play, we have to forfeit points. But we have made it clear that no bilateral tournaments will be played until Pakistan stops terrorism,” he said.
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