New Delhi: The debate over the upcoming India-Pakistan Asia Cup match has intensified after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) spokesperson Waris Pathan urged for its cancellation. He questioned why India should play against Pakistan while accusing the neighboring country of supporting terrorism. Pathan referred to past attacks, including the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Pulwama, and Pahalgam incidents, to highlight his demand.
Pathan noted that India had taken strong measures in response to terrorism, including strikes on terror camps, restrictions on Pakistani individuals, and efforts to place Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force list. He asked why, despite these actions, India was still participating in cricket matches against Pakistan. Pathan said the victims of terror deserved a clear answer and called for a boycott of the game, adding that he would not watch it and urged citizens to do the same.
His remarks follow Shiv Sena UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi’s earlier appeal for a boycott, stressing that Pakistan should not be given the platform of sports while Indian soldiers continue to sacrifice their lives.
The issue also reached the Supreme Court, where a petition seeking the cancellation of the match was dismissed. The bench stated that cricket and politics should remain separate and allowed the match to proceed as scheduled on September 14 in Dubai.
The controversy has stirred political debate, reflecting the continuing tension between sporting ties and national security concerns.
