India v Pakistan match row: Opposition accuses BJP of choosing 'profit over blood', disrespecting Pahalgam terror attack victims

Opposition slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party for letting Team India play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup and alleged the Centre chose money over the blood of Pahalgam terror attack victims. Opposition parties protested across the country, urging the public to boycott the match.

Congress leader and deputy leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, charged the Union government lacks compassion and that money mattered to them most. The decision of the BJP government to go ahead with the India–Pakistan cricket match exposes its misplaced priorities. Only a few months ago, innocent civilians lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack, and their families continue to bear the pain of that tragedy," Gogoi said in a post on X.

Gogoi charged the BJP-led Centre chose profit over sensitivity and they betrayed nation's sentiment. "By treating cricket as separate from the blood that has been shed on our soil, they have shown that money matters more than the suffering of our people. Such indifference is a betrayal of national sentiment and a grave insult to the memory of the victims," he added.

India and Pakistan are facing off for the first time since the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year. Earlier, during the Champions League, India boycotted the match against Pakistan.

The Indian government has allowed the national team to play against Pakistan at multinational events, including the Asia Cup, but has barred any bilateral engagement across sports.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) conducted protests in Mumbai and burnt the national flag of Pakistan. Members of Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party protested in Delhi on Sunday and urged the public to boycott the match.