September 15, 2025

The tension rises as India prepares to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup, but not everyone is happy. AIMIM boss Asaduddin Owaisi has thrown a fiery challenge at the BJP. He slammed the party for agreeing to play cricket with Pakistan, even after 26 innocent Indian tourists were brutally killed by terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to the media, Owaisi asked pointed questions: "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..." He pushed further, targeting the BJP’s priorities. "We ask the Prime Minister, when you said that blood and water cannot flow together, dialogue and terrorism cannot happen together, then how much money will the BCCI get from one cricket match, Rs 2000 crore, Rs 3000 crore? Is the value of money more than the lives of our 26 citizens? This is what the BJP should tell... We stood with those 26 citizens yesterday as well, we stand with them today, and we will stand with them tomorrow as well..." The anger comes from the fresh memory of the horrific April 22 Pahalgam terror attack where 26 tourists lost their lives to Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. This brutal act has made many question the wisdom of engaging with Pakistan on the cricket field. Congress leader Abhishek Dutt also joined the chorus of criticism, calling the decision to play the match confusing and wrong. Speaking to ANI, Dutt said, "On one hand, you talk about Operation Sindoor, you say no talks with terror, no trade with terror. Our delegation went to foreign countries. What message are you trying to give by playing a match with Pakistan today?" With emotions running high, many demand a boycott of the India-Pakistan match. The question remains: should sport bring peace or ignore the pain of terror? The nation waits to see how the government and the cricket board will justify their choice.

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Tags: India pakistan match, Asia cup, Asaduddin owaisi, Bjp criticism, Pahalgam attack, Terrorism,