TVs Smashed in Protests in Maharashtra as Political Fury Erupts Over India-Pakistan Match

The much-anticipated India-Pakistan Asia Cup match has ignited a fierce political firestorm that has now spilled onto the streets, with opposition parties leading protests and calling for a boycott in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

The government and its allies have defended the decision to play, arguing for the separation of sport and politics, but the move has been met with dramatic demonstrations, including the smashing of television sets.

Opposition Demands Boycott, Smashes TVs

Leading the charge, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Sunday staged street protests across Maharashtra, calling the match an “insult to the nation's sentiment.” In a fiery demonstration in Mumbai, party spokesperson Anand Dubey smashed a television set with a bat, symbolically rejecting the broadcast of the game. After breaking the TV, Dubey said the act was a message to stop the telecast. “Pakistan is a terrorist state, boycott it. We are sending this message so that the BCCI and ICC realise that no one has the right to play with the emotions of 140 crore Indians,” he declared.

During the protest, demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Cricket se humko bair nahi, Pakistan teri khair nahi" (We are not against cricket, but Pakistan should beware). Dubey also urged Indian cricketers to withdraw from the match, saying, “If you are true patriots, boycott the match even at the last moment. Take a charter plane back to India, we will welcome you on our shoulders.”

This sentiment was echoed by other leaders. Aaditya Thackeray urged the BCCI to "show India that it belongs to India, and not to greed of money." Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal labeled the match a "betrayal of the country," while AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioned if monetary gains outweighed the lives of citizens lost in the Pahalgam attack.

Government Defends Match as Sporting Necessity

The government has pushed back against the criticism by drawing a clear line between the cricket match and ongoing geopolitical conflicts. Union Minister Manohar Lal stated that the game and "Operation Sindoor" were “two different issues,” and that boycotting the match would be unfair to the players. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction deflected criticism by pointing to historical precedent, noting that India and Pakistan played cricket during the Congress era even when diplomatic relations were tense.

Fans Divided Over Politics and Passion

The controversy has left cricket fans deeply divided. While the India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the most-watched spectacles in the sport, many believe the match is insensitive and should be boycotted. "Such a big incident took place in our country, but still we are playing a cricket match against them," said one fan. However, others maintain that sport should be kept separate from politics. "This is a match which everyone would want to watch," another argued. As the teams face off on the pitch, the debate off it rages on.(newscenter)