As India is going to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 today, September 14, a growing boycott campaign has been trending across social media. Many fans are questioning the decision to play with Pakistan in the current situation of both nations.
The anger comes in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory action, Operation Sindoor. Social media is full of criticism, with people slamming the Indian cricket board for agreeing to face Pakistan despite the mood in the country.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has now explained that the match is being played in line with the central government’s policy, according to a report by HT.
‘Had India boycotted Pakistan…’
The top official of the BCCI defended the move, saying there was no real option but to go ahead with the fixture. This is a multilateral event, and India had to play against Pakistan. He also explained that if they had boycotted, then India’s chances of hosting the Olympics or Commonwealth Games in the future would have been hurt, as per the report.
Union Minister Manohar Lal has also defended the move and said that the game and Operation Sindoor are two “different issues”. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, he acknowledged the sentiment behind the game and said that it is “not fair” to oppose the India vs Pakistan match.
“As far as the matter between India and Pakistan (the cricket match), Operation Sindoor, and other things are concerned, nobody will say that the match will happen just by comparing them. But as far as the game is concerned, the game has sentiment, and players also worked hard for it, so it is not fair to oppose it” Lal told news agency ANI.
Earlier this year, 26 people lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. In response, India carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan and PoK. The government also banned several YouTube channels from across the border. Many assumed cricket ties would also be cut off after these developments.
Growing public frustration on social media
Since the schedule was announced, anger has only grown among Indian fans. Many have used social media to call out the BCCI for allowing the match to go ahead despite the Pahalgam attack.
Previously it was reported by Dainik Jagran that most senior BCCI officials are distancing themselves from the India vs Pakistan tie. The absence of top officials from Dubai is being seen as an indirect boycott of the game.
“We agreed to the match after getting permission from the government. If we come on camera during the match, then attempts would be made to create an atmosphere against us,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying.
But there is no official confirmation for the same and the BCCI has not agreed for any boycott.