Protests Erupt Over India-Pakistan Asia Cup Match Amid Kashmir Tensions

The upcoming India vs Pakistan cricket match in the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, has sparked significant controversy amid heightened tensions following the April Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians including family members of victims like Sawan Parmar and Asavari Jagdale. Several victims' families and groups such as the All Indian Cine Workers Association have called for a boycott of the match, arguing that continuing sporting ties with Pakistan sends the wrong message and disrespects those who lost their lives. Political protests have also erupted, such as those led by Shiv Sena (UBT), reflecting the broader public discomfort with the normalization of relations through cricket. Meanwhile, actor Suniel Shetty defended the players, emphasizing that cricketers should not be blamed as the decision to hold the match is governed by international sporting bodies, not the BCCI. Despite the calls for a boycott, the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the government have maintained the match will proceed, citing multilateral tournament commitments and asserting that sports and politics operate in separate spheres. The debate underscores the complex intersection of sports, nationalism, and ongoing geopolitical conflict between India and Pakistan.