IND vs PAK Asia Cup: 'Ban the live telecast of India-Pakistan match in Asia Cup', Priyanka Chaturvedi demands

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has demanded a ban on the live telecast of the India-Pakistan match, likely to be held in the Asia Cup in the country. Citing national interest and public sentiment, she on Friday wrote to the government on Friday to stop the live telecast of the India-Pakistan match during the Asia Cup next month.

In a letter to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote, "I am writing to you with deep pain and concern, not only as a Member of Parliament, but also as a citizen of this country, which is still not over the loss of lives in the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam this year. After this attack, the government launched Operation Sindoor, a counter-terrorism operation aimed at holding Pakistan accountable internationally for its continued sponsorship of terrorism. A parliamentary delegation was sent across the world, including me, carrying the message of zero tolerance towards terrorism, but this decision of the Government of India to host cricket matches is completely unacceptable to me and my conscience."

'Disappointed by the insistence on the match against Pakistan'

He wrote, 'I am disappointed by the insistence on India's participation in the Asia Cup and the match against Pakistan on the part of both the BCCI and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Allowing the match to happen under the guise of sportsmanship shows a lack of moral courage to stand up against a terrorist nation. World history is full of examples where nations chose principles over sports, the boycott of South Africa during apartheid, the Olympic boycott for decades, and recently Pakistan's refusal to play in India for the Asia Hockey Cup despite all approvals from its hockey team exposes the hypocrisy of the Sports Ministry's decision.'

Reminded of the boycott of the Asia Cricket Cup by Pakistan

The MP from the Uddhav faction said, 'I would also like to remind the government of the boycott of the Asia Cricket Cup by Pakistan in 1990-91 when India-Pakistan tensions escalated. However, the BCCI's insistence on promoting this match to make money will, in fact, be not just blood money but cursed money as it is cursed by the coffins of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and our uniformed soldiers.'

'Cannot afford to divide patriotism into different parts'

He said, 'The people of India deserve unity and do not want to see a match that profits off the pain and anger of more than 140 crore citizens. When lives are still being lost in cross-border terrorism, we cannot afford to divide patriotism into different parts. While our forces are sacrificing their lives to eliminate Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, the government is eyeing platforms streaming cricket matches, which normalise mutual relations and turn tragedy into business.'

'Ban live streaming of India vs Pakistan match'

Finally, she said, 'Keeping in mind the national interest and public sentiment, it is necessary that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ban the live streaming of the India vs Pakistan match on all OTT platforms, websites, and apps. Since you also have the charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, I urge you to stop the broadcasters from broadcasting the match live. India is outraged, has stood with the Government of India in its efforts through Operation Sindoor, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to call for the continuation of Operation Sindoor, in such a situation any talks with Pakistan will be a betrayal of this support. Hope you will adopt an India First approach and do what the nation expects from its government.'