New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly criticised the Modi government for allowing the India-Pakistan cricket match in the Asia Cup despite heightened tensions, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal took to X and questioned, "Why does the Prime Minister feel the need to hold a cricket match with Pakistan. The entire nation is saying this match should not take place. Then why is it being organised? Is this also being done under Trump's pressure? How much more will the Prime Minister bend before Trump?" Kejriwal framed it as a disregard for national sentiment and the sacrifices of martyrs.

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia highlighted the clash between national mourning and the government's decision to proceed with the match, stating, "Prime Minister, since when has the craze for cricket become bigger than the blood of our martyrs? When the sindoor of our sisters has been wiped away, what is the need to hold a match with Pakistan?"

AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha condemned Pakistani players for posting disrespectful images mocking Indian sisters and questioned the silence of ICC and BCCI leaders in the face of such disrespect. He said, "Pakistani players have posted objectionable images on their Instagram accounts, mocking our sisters and disrespecting our national dignity. These images show the Pakistani Army Chief applying sindoor—a symbol of marital bliss—to our sisters. Can we play cricket with people who disrespect us in such a manner?" Jha added, "Will those in power tolerate such disrespect towards their own sisters? We will not. That is why we are protesting. We demand that this match be stopped immediately."

He also criticised the BJP, saying, "Those who claim to be nationalists are silent today. What is the hidden agenda here? If the price is right, these people are ready to sell the country." Jha urged, "The people of this country are angry. We do not want this match to be played for the sake of earning billions. Wherever large screens are set up to broadcast the match, we will expose those responsible. I appeal to all clubs: if you love this country, if you have even an ounce of patriotism, do not screen this match. We will not allow this to become a business at the cost of our national pride."

Meanwhile, AAP MLA from Kondli Kuldeep Kumar asserted, "Those who have disrespected our sisters and spilt the blood of our citizens do not deserve to play against us, whether in India or Dubai. Our patriotism will not allow it." He added, "We have made our party's stance by burning an effigy of the Pakistani team at the party office. We have made it clear: bloodshed and cricket cannot coexist." Kumar accused the BJP of hypocrisy, stating, "The BJP must end its double standards. We cannot play with those who have killed our people, neither in India nor abroad. The government must recall our team immediately." He warned of nationwide protests if the match proceeds: "The youth and cricket lovers of this country are furious. They know that bloodshed and cricket cannot go hand in hand. If this match is allowed to happen, there will be protests across the nation." He also appealed to Indian cricketers to boycott the match, saying, "You cannot play with those who have taken the lives of 26 of our people. It is time to stand with the nation."

With inputs from ANI