In a powerful display of protest, women workers of Shiv Sena (UBT) staged a symbolic demonstration in Mumbai on Sunday, using sindoor (vermilion) to voice opposition to India`s participation in the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match, scheduled for today in Dubai.
The protest, rooted in the pain of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, reflects growing outrage from victims’ families and citizens alike, who feel Operation Sindoor has lost its meaning. Many see the continuation of cricket ties with Pakistan as a betrayal of national security and the sacrifices of civilians and security personnel, according to the news agency ANI.
On Saturday, party chief Uddhav Thackeray announced that Shiv Sena (UBT) women would take to the streets across Maharashtra, pledging to send sindoor from every household to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a symbolic act meant to question the government`s resolve on national security and demand accountability.
The sentiment echoes far beyond politics, striking at the heart of cricket diplomacy and cross-border relations amid rising public discontent.
Thackeray opposed India`s participation in the match against Pakistan, alleging that the government was mixing politics and business with patriotism.
Uddhav Thackeray said, “Our Prime Minister said blood and water cannot flow together, then how can blood and cricket flow together. How can war and cricket be at the same time?. They have done business in patriotism. The business of patriotism is only for money. They are going to play the match tomorrow also because they want all the money they will get from that match,” as per the news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the upcoming India-Pakistan match.
Owaisi questioned the decision to play cricket matches with the rival country and sought clarity from the government on the monetary gains compared to the loss of human lives.
“My question to the Chief Minister of Assam, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and all of them is that you don`t have the power to refuse to play a cricket match against Pakistan, which asked for the religion of our 26 citizens in Pahalgam and shot them,” Owaisi said, reported ANI.
The AIMIM chief questioned the BJP whether the money earned through the match is more valuable than the lives of 26 citizens who were killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
The Indian national cricket team will take on Pakistan today for the first time in an international cricket match after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
Ahead of the clash, there had been a widespread demand from the opposition to boycott the match. However, the Centre had issued no objection from the Indian team to playing against Pakistan in any multi-nation tournament.
(With ANI inputs)
