Asia Cup 2025: Why India cannot forfeit match against Pakistan?
New Delhi: The decision to hold an India-Pakistan cricket match on 14 September during the Asia Cup 2025 has created a significant political and social controversy within India. The announcement, coming on the day of Kargil Divas, an annual observance honouring soldiers who died in the Kargil War, was particularly insensitive to many.
This is further compounded by the recent deadly Pahalgam attack, allegedly linked to Pakistan-based terrorist groups, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people.
The timing of the match, scheduled in the UAE, has sparked strong reactions from various figures. Prominent amongst these is Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM MP, who, while participating in Operation Sindoor, a military operation, stated his inability to watch the match in good conscience.
He questioned the government's priorities, highlighting the ongoing conflict and the unaddressed issue of the Pahalgam attack.