Aishanya Dwivedi, the widow of one of the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, issued a scathing attack on the forthcoming India vs Pakistan match of the Asia Cup 2025 and urged all stakeholders to boycott it.
Blaming authorities for ignoring the martyrs of the 26 victims of the attack, Dwivedi targeted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for giving in to playing against Pakistan, which she has called a "terrorist nation."
"BCCI did not have to agree to a match between India and Pakistan. I do not believe BCCI is sentimental about those 26 families. What are our cricketers up to? Cricketers are purported to be nationalists. It is considered our national game. With the exception of 1-2 cricket players, no one came forward to say that we must boycott the match against Pakistan. BCCI does not have the right to make them play at gunpoint. They need to stand for their country. But they are not," she informed ANI.
"I would like to ask the sponsors and television broadcasters if their patriotism for those 26 families is complete? What will the match revenues be spent on? Pakistan will spend this money only on terrorism. That is a terrorist state. You will give them revenues and prepare them to attack us again. I cannot comprehend this," she said.
Dwivedi also demanded a countrywide boycott, asking for fans to stand up. "Don't turn on your TVs. Don't give them the numbers. Boycott this match."
A few opposition parties, AIMIM and Shiv Sena (UBT), have criticized the BJP and BCCI regarding the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match slated on September 14.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray asked, "blood and cricket can flow together."
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Congress on Friday termed the match an insult to the families of those who were slain in the Pahalgam terror attack as also to soldiers who have been martyred in the line of duty.
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) stated the go-ahead for the match has revealed the government's double standards.
Earlier, the Supreme Court on Thursday declined to urgently list a plea seeking an interim stay on the India-Pakistan cricket match scheduled in Dubai on September 14.
Read also| Asia Cup: Kuldeep Yadav’s 4-Wicket Haul Powers India’s Dominant Win Over UAE
