Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Outrage over India facing Pakistan in the Asia Cup has intensified in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. With the high-voltage match scheduled for Sunday in Dubai, political leaders, veterans, celebrities, and citizens are rallying on social media, urging a boycott as a mark of respect to the 26 victims of the massacre and those who fought in the four-day conflict.
Public Figures Amplify Boycott Campaign
Retired soldiers and public personalities are leading calls to shun the game. Actor Satish Shah urged fans to “switch off the TV,” while decorated officer Major Pawan Kumar (retd) appealed to media outlets to avoid match updates. Pollster Yashwant Deshmukh pledged to unfollow cricket content, and activist Karan Verma urged the government and BCCI to cancel the fixture. Many criticised the silence of Union ministers despite widespread anger.
Political Leaders and Sponsors Join In
Opposition leaders such as AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi have labelled the match hypocritical, citing past trade and travel bans with Pakistan over terror links. Travel firm EaseMyTrip withdrew sponsorship, calling the game an attempt to normalise relations with a country “that promotes terrorism.” However, some former cricketers, including Sourav Ganguly, defended continuing sporting ties, arguing that “sports must go on.”
Low Ticket Sales Cloud Rivalry
Traditionally the hottest ticket in world cricket, the India-Pakistan clash has seen poor premium sales this time. Reports suggest that expensive hospitality packages, priced between Rs 1.67 lakh and Rs 4 lakh, remain unsold, while only standard seats are moving steadily.
Balancing Sentiment and Global Goals
Experts warn that scrapping marquee fixtures could undermine India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics, as the International Olympic Committee evaluates nations on stability and experience in organising global tournaments. Meanwhile, veterans such as Kapil Dev have asked players to focus on performance despite the controversy.
