Uddhav, AAP take up cudgels against Indo-Pak match

Mumbai: Political parties like the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the AAP on Saturday protested against the upcoming Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan, with some even singling out Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Against the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent and "ongoing" Operation Sindoor, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray slammed the BJP-led Central government for insulting national sentiments and mixing politics and business with patriotism.

Thackeray announced Shiv Sena (UBT) protests across Maharashtra on Sunday, when the party's women's wing would send vermillion boxes to Modi.

Slamming Modi, he said: "Our PM said blood and water cannot flow together. Then, how can blood and cricket flow together? How can war and cricket happen at the same time?"

He told reporters on Saturday: "Boycotting the match against Pakistan is an opportunity to convey to the world India's stand on terrorism. Playing the match is a joke on patriotism."

He added: "Should we be playing cricket with Pakistan when our soldiers are sacrificing their lives protecting the borders?"

Calling for cancellation of the match, he said: "This is a real test for Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and his son (ICC chief) Jay Shah."

Meanwhile, the AAP on Saturday burnt an effigy in Delhi in a show of protest against the match. It put out a video on X (formerly Twitter) explaining its actions.

It also said it would "expose" the establishments in the city that broadcast the match on Sunday.