In a bold move, Bharadwaj urged Suryakumar Yadav and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to donate the earnings from the Asia Cup match to the widows of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. The tragic incident, which took place earlier this year, claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including women and children, making it one of the most devastating attacks in the region.

The controversy deepened after Indian cricketers, led by Yadav, refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the match, citing the Pahalgam tragedy. While Yadav and his team stood by their decision, stating it was made in consultation with the Indian government and the BCCI, the move was perceived as a strong political statement rather than just a sporting gesture.

This debate has stirred widespread discussion on the intersection of politics and sports, particularly when it involves sensitive national issues like terrorism. The incident also highlighted the growing influence of politics in sportsmanship, with some questioning the appropriateness of such gestures in international cricket.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the cricketers will respond to the challenge or if the political tension will continue to rise. The call for donating earnings to the Pahalgam widows remains a key demand from the AAP, emphasizing the need for concrete actions over symbolic gestures.

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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.

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Earlier, Kejriwal announced that Saurabh Bharadwaj, the Delhi unit president of AAP, will be arriving in Punjab with essential relief supplies. In addition, every day, AAP leaders, MLAs, MPs, and citizens from Delhi will send trucks carrying relief materials to Punjab. Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs) and traders are also offering support in various ways to assist those impacted by the floods.

Kejriwal expressed gratitude for the widespread help, stating that people from all over the country are contributing to the relief efforts. “Today, the entire nation stands with Punjab,” he said.

Furthermore, AAP MLAs and MPs are donating one month’s salary to the Punjab Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to aid the flood victims.

The ongoing floods in Punjab have been caused by the rising waters of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, as well as seasonal rivulets, following heavy rains in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

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