The AAP protests India-Pakistan cricket match ahead of the Asia Cup clash have triggered a heated political row. On Saturday, AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the Centre of “humiliating” the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack by allowing the game to go ahead.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also questioned the decision. “What is the need for the Prime Minister to organise a match with Pakistan? The whole country is saying that this match should not happen,” he asked on X, adding that the government seemed to be bowing under outside pressure.
Mr. Bharadwaj highlighted a controversial post allegedly shared by Pakistani cricketers. It depicted Pakistan Army Chief Asif Munir filling the hair parting of a woman painted in India’s tricolour — seen as a mocking reference to Operation Sindoor, India’s counterstrike after the Pahalgam terror attack. Calling it “a gross humiliation,” he warned that AAP workers would expose clubs and pubs screening the game.
Party workers later burnt an effigy symbolising Pakistani players. In another post, Mr. Bharadwaj condemned the BJP government for playing cricket with Pakistan despite repeated provocations.
As per the government’s new sports policy, India avoids bilateral contests with Pakistan but faces them in multilateral tournaments like the Asia Cup and ICC events.
