BCCI is anti-national, says Shiv Sena (UBT)

By Admin

13 Sep, 2025

The cricketing world is abuzz with anticipation for the India-Pakistan match scheduled on September 14, 2025, in the ongoing Asia Cup. However, the decision to allow the fixture has sparked a major political controversy. On September 12, 2025, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), branding it “anti-national” for agreeing to play Pakistan despite the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

Aaditya Thackeray’s Fierce Criticism

Drawing a sharp analogy, Aaditya Thackeray questioned how cricket could continue with Pakistan when relations on other fronts have been suspended. “If blood and water can’t flow together, how can blood and cricket go together?” he asked, pointing to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam attack.

He accused the BCCI of putting TV and advertisement revenue above national interest. “Shame on BCCI for its anti-national and selfish behaviour,” Thackeray declared, adding that the board’s excitement to play against Pakistan was deeply insensitive.

Questions Raised Against BJP

The Sena (UBT) leader also took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning whether the ruling party had abandoned its long-standing stance on Pakistan. He reminded that Pakistan had boycotted the 2025 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup because it was being hosted in India. “Why can’t we also boycott? Has the BJP changed its ideology?” Thackeray asked.

Call for Boycott and Player Responsibility

Thackeray went further, questioning the patriotism of Indian players and broadcasters. “Players can boycott, BCCI can boycott, broadcasters can boycott. Why aren’t they doing it? Those who are going to play need to ask how much of patriotism is alive in them,” he remarked.

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Planned Protest

The Sena (UBT) has also announced a ‘Sindoor Raksha Abhiyaan’ on the day of the match. The party’s women’s wing will hold protests on the streets, and later send sindoor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from lakhs of homes as a reminder of the Pahalgam attack and the need to refuse cricketing ties with Pakistan.

Party MP Sanjay Raut confirmed the move, stressing that the campaign aims to highlight the compromise of national pride. Earlier, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had slammed the Prime Minister for permitting the match, alleging that it was only being allowed because Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, currently chairs the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Conclusion

The debate around the India-Pakistan clash has once again spilled beyond the cricket field, stirring political and emotional sentiments. With the Asia Cup 2025 encounter now at the heart of a national controversy, the larger question remains should cricketing ties continue in times of conflict? For Shiv Sena (UBT), the answer is clear: playing cricket with Pakistan is a betrayal of India’s martyrs and an insult to national pride.