India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: Protests Break Out Across India Over Pahalgam Attack – Key Highlights

Ahead of the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai, protests have erupted across India. Opposition parties are strongly criticizing the government and demanding a boycott of the match, saying it is insulting to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred earlier this year.

What Happened?

On April 22, a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir) claimed the lives of 26 people, including many tourists. In response, India carried out strikes on terror bases in Pakistan-controlled territories in May.

Now, just a few months later, India and Pakistan are scheduled to play against each other in the Asia Cup – the first match between the two since the military action. This has sparked anger and emotional reactions across the country.

Who is Protesting and Why?

Several political parties have taken to the streets, arguing that playing against Pakistan so soon after a deadly terror attack disrespects the sacrifices of soldiers and victims.

Here’s what’s happening:

• Shiv Sena (UBT) held protests in Mumbai and Thane, accusing the central government of having double standards. They named their protest “Majha Kunku Majha Desh” (My Sindoor, My Country), and plan to send items like sindoor (vermilion) to the Prime Minister’s Office as a symbolic gesture.
• Shiv Sena leaders like Rajan Vichare and Kedar Dighe reminded the government of its earlier stance: “Blood and water cannot flow together.”
• In Delhi, the AAP Women’s Wing staged demonstrations and urged fans to boycott the match. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal called playing with Pakistan “a betrayal of the nation” in a post on X.
• Manish Sisodia, senior AAP leader, questioned how the country could return to cricketing ties so soon after Operation Sindoor.
• Leaders from Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and AIMIM also slammed the Modi government and BCCI, saying the match is “deeply insensitive.”
• Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, said this was a chance for India to send a strong anti-terror message by boycotting the game.
• His son, Aaditya Thackeray, criticized the BCCI for being “shameless” and ignoring the pain of the victims’ families.
• Aishanya, the widow of one of the Pahalgam victims, also spoke out emotionally, urging the public to stay away from the game and calling BCCI’s move a “disrespect to martyrdom.”

What is the Government’s Response?

The ruling NDA, led by the BJP, defended India’s participation in the Asia Cup. They said that while bilateral cricket with Pakistan is off the table, India cannot skip multi-nation tournaments like the Asia Cup.

Former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur explained that if India skips the match, Pakistan would automatically get points, which could eliminate India from the tournament. “India will never play a bilateral series with Pakistan until it stops supporting terrorism,” he said during a press briefing in Pune.