The AAP staged a protest outside its headquarters in central Delhi on Saturday against the India-Pakistan cricket match in Asia Cup, scheduled for September 14 in Dubai. Calling the match an “utter shame” and a “humiliation” for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, AAP leaders criticised the BJP-led Union government for allowing the match to proceed.
Addressing the media, AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “The AAP completely opposes the cricket match scheduled for tomorrow between India and Pakistan. This is the same Pakistan that, only a few days ago, entered Kashmir, spilled the blood of dozens of our fellow Indians, murdered them, and widowed our mothers and sisters. Yet today, the BJP government at the Centre is preparing to play cricket with these very Pakistanis. This is an act of utter shame.”
Bharadwaj added, “….This cannot be allowed. Blood and cricket cannot go hand in hand.”
He further warned that any bar or club found screening the match would face a boycott by AAP. He emphasised that AAP workers would “expose” clubs, pubs, and restaurants screening the match to “stop people from going to these outlets”.
Taking to X, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said: “What is the need for the Prime Minister to organize a match with Pakistan? The whole country is saying that this match should not happen. Then why is this match being organized?”
