AAP workers up in arms against Indo-Pak Asia Cup face-off

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a massive protest on Sunday against the India-Pakistan cricket match, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP had compromised national interests for betting gains.

The demonstration, led by Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj, saw the AAP’s Women’s Wing smashing televisions outside the party headquarters, sending sindoor and bangles to the Prime Minister, and urging citizens to boycott the match.

Addressing the protest, Saurabh Bharadwaj criticised the BJP for its apparent shift in stance. “This is the same BJP that used to challenge Pakistan on every issue, speak of conflict and preach to every government: do not meet Pakistan, do not talk to them, do not play cricket with them. Even during the Congress government, cricket was not played with Pakistan for fifteen years.”

On the motives behind the match, he said, “Now this match is being played because billions of dollars are at stake in betting. The Pakistani team has been offered money to lose so that the gamblers win. But why is this match being played, no BJP karyakarta has an answer.”

During the protest, AAP Women’s Wing state president Sarika Chaudhary added, “The Union Home Minister’s son has been made the president of the ICC which is organising the match. I request every woman in the country not to support this cricket match. We will not let our children watch this match. We strongly oppose it. We have come with sindoor to protest against the PM. We will deliver this sindoor to them. Alongside, we have brought choodas (bangles), because PM Modi bowed down before the enemy. He has insulted the country’s women, its youth and our martyred soldiers.”

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s protest plea rejected by police

The Delhi Police have turned down Shiv Sena (UBT)’s request to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar against the India-Pakistan Asia Cup fixture, citing non-compliance with procedural norms.

India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in Dubai on Sunday — their first cricket encounter since tensions flared in May, when India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

The decision to allow the match has drawn sharp criticism from several opposition parties, who argue that playing Pakistan dishonours the victims of the Pahalgam attack and the soldiers who laid down their lives at the border. Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray has already called for ‘Sindoor’ protests across Maharashtra in response.

In Delhi, however, police officials said the party’s application arrived too late. “Permission requests must be filed at least 10 days in advance. Since this requirement wasn’t met, approval couldn’t be given,” a senior officer explained. The request had been submitted on September 13, just a day ahead of the proposed demonstration.

While disappointed with the denial, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders vowed to continue highlighting the issue through peaceful and democratic means. “We respect the law but our stand remains firm,” Mangat Ram Munde, who heads the party’s Delhi unit, said.