NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Sunday lashed out at the Union government and the
BCCI over India’s upcoming Asia Cup fixture against Pakistan, accusing both of putting "profit before principle" in the aftermath of the recent cross-border hostilities.
Also Read | 'I'm against India vs Pakistan, PM Modi saying Operation Sindoor is on pause’: Ex-India cricketer slams Asia Cup 2025 fixture Her comments came a day after the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) released the tournament schedule, confirming the India–Pakistan game on September 14, with a possibility of two more matches if both teams progress to the Super Four stage and the final.
The Rajya Sabha MP, who has been vocal in her opposition to the match, slammed the decision to proceed with the clash despite Pakistan's role in the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam — an incident which triggered India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. Subsequent shelling from across the border also claimed civilian lives in Poonch.
“Blockbuster Fixture: India vs Pakistan scheduled for 14 September, 2025 with potential rematches during Super Four and Final,” she posted on X, quoting the ACC release. "When money is more important than the blood of our fellow Indians and our men in uniform. Shame on GoI for being a hypocrite on Operation Sindoor," she wrote, calling the BCCI's revenue from the match "cursed money".
Her Shiv Sena (UBT) colleague Aaditya Thackeray, son of party supremo Uddhav Thackeray, also criticized the decision to hold the game.
Chaturvedi was part of one of seven all-party delegations which toured over 30 countries and the European Union headquarters in Brussels, aimed at exposing Pakistan’s terror links.
Also Read | Op Sindoor debate: How can 'gora' in White House declare ceasefire? asks Owaisi; opposes India-Pak Asia Cup matchIndia and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, following a request from the latter's Director General of Military Operations.
The ACC is currently chaired by Pakistan’s interior minister and its cricket board head, Mohsin Naqvi.
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