New Delhi, July 29, 2025 – In a charged debate during the monsoon session of India’s Lok Sabha on July 28, 2025, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi sharply criticized the government’s decision to proceed with a scheduled India-Pakistan cricket match in the 2025 Asia Cup, set for September 14 in the United Arab Emirates. Owaisi’s remarks, made during a discussion on Operation Sindoor—a military operation targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK)—highlighted the moral and political contradictions of engaging in sporting ties with Pakistan amidst heightened tensions and recent terror attacks.

The Context: Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor

The controversy stems from the deadly terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, located in the Anantnag district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, claimed initially by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists, and one Nepali national. Eyewitnesses reported that assailants targeted non-Muslims, questioning victims about their religious identity before opening fire, making it one of the deadliest attacks in the region since 2000.

In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, conducting precision missile strikes on nine terrorist bases across Pakistan and PoJK, targeting infrastructure linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The operation, described by the Ministry of Defence as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” aimed to neutralize terror threats without targeting Pakistani military facilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed that at least 100 militants were killed, including key figures like JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar’s family members and aides.

Owaisi hailed Operation Sindoor, congratulating the armed forces for their “supreme sacrifice and bravery” and urging the government to dismantle Pakistan’s terror infrastructure entirely. He called for global action, including pushing the United States to designate TRF as a terrorist organization and reinstating Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

Owaisi’s Critique: Cricket Amidst Conflict

During the Lok Sabha debate, Owaisi questioned the government’s stance on maintaining sporting ties with Pakistan while severing other bilateral engagements. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past statements, such as “Blood and water cannot flow together” and “Terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand,” to highlight the inconsistency of halting trade, closing airspace, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty while allowing a cricket match. “When Pakistan’s aircraft cannot enter our airspace, when trade is stopped, how is a cricket match justified?” Owaisi asked.

Owaisi’s remarks centered on the moral implications of the match, particularly in light of the Pahalgam attack’s brutality. “Does your conscience allow you to ask the family members of the people who were killed in Baisaran to watch India’s cricket match with Pakistan?” he challenged the government. “My conscience does not allow me to watch that match.” He further questioned whether the government could face the families of the 26 victims and justify the fixture by claiming Operation Sindoor had avenged their loss.

The AIMIM leader also raised concerns about security lapses, questioning how four terrorists infiltrated Indian territory despite the presence of 7.5 lakh army and paramilitary personnel. “Who did Pahalgam? From where did these four rats enter and kill our Indian citizens? On whom will accountability be fixed?” he demanded, pointing to a lack of coordination between central and state authorities.

Political and Public Reactions

Owaisi’s stance resonated with some opposition leaders. Congress MP Ve Vaithilingam supported his remarks, arguing that the killers of the Pahalgam attack remain unidentified, and “India and Pakistan should not play in the same game” under these circumstances. He emphasized that “cricket match diplomacy is not going well” and could have been deferred. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi termed the match “blood money,” criticizing the prioritization of profits over national sentiment.

However, former Indian cricket captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly offered a contrasting view, advocating for the continuation of sports despite security concerns. “The sport must go on. At the same time, Pahalgam should not happen, but the sport must go on. Terrorism must be stopped,” Ganguly told ANI, acknowledging India’s strong stance against terrorism while supporting cricketing ties.

Public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X, mirrored the polarized debate. Some praised Owaisi’s patriotism and his call for accountability, while others echoed Ganguly’s view that sports should remain separate from political tensions.

The Asia Cup 2025 and Broader Implications

The 2025 Asia Cup, hosted by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in the UAE from September 9 to 28, has placed India and Pakistan in Group A alongside UAE and Oman. The high-profile match on September 14 has drawn significant attention due to the ongoing diplomatic and security tensions. The scheduling has faced backlash, with critics arguing it undermines India’s firm stance against Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism.

The Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor have further strained India-Pakistan relations, already tense due to historical conflicts and recent diplomatic measures. India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of airspace, and expulsion of Pakistani diplomats were met with reciprocal actions from Pakistan, including trade restrictions and suspension of the Shimla Agreement. A ceasefire was announced on May 10, 2025, following international calls for de-escalation from countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union.

India’s Diplomatic Offensive

In the wake of Operation Sindoor, India launched a global diplomatic campaign to highlight Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism. Owaisi, part of a delegation to Bahrain, urged global allies to designate TRF as a terror group and emphasized India’s resolve to counter terrorism. The campaign, involving 51 political leaders across seven delegations, aims to justify India’s actions, including the shelving of the Indus Waters Treaty, to 32 countries.

Conclusion

Asaduddin Owaisi’s remarks in the Lok Sabha have reignited a debate on the intersection of sports, diplomacy, and national security. His critique underscores the deep-seated sensitivities surrounding India-Pakistan relations, particularly in the context of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. While the government defends its counterterrorism measures, the decision to proceed with the cricket match has sparked a broader conversation about consistency in foreign policy and the moral weight of engaging with a nation accused of sponsoring terrorism. As the Asia Cup approaches, the controversy is likely to intensify, reflecting the complex dynamics of India-Pakistan relations.

By Bharat Tone Staff