The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union government, alleging that the recent India-Pakistan cricket match in Dubai has “exposed” its stand on patriotism, Hindutva, and nationalism.
In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray faction accused the Centre of indirectly funding terrorism by permitting such matches. It claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board earned around ?1,000 crore from the Dubai fixture, while betting networks in Pakistan pocketed nearly ?50,000 crore.
“This has strengthened the hands of those who sponsor terrorism in India, and every citizen must condemn it,” the editorial stated.
Drawing comparisons, the Sena (UBT) questioned why Diljit Dosanjh’s film faced resistance over casting a Pakistani actress, while cricket ties with Pakistan were allowed despite the financial windfall to the PCB.
The editorial further claimed that many “patriotic people” switched off their televisions in protest when the match began. It cited cricketer Sunil Gavaskar’s remark that the BCCI and players had no option but to follow the Centre’s decision to engage in cricket with Pakistan.
Actor Nana Patekar was also quoted as opposing the match, saying, “The blood of our people was shed. Why should I play with those who shed it?”
The Sena (UBT) also linked the decision to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “The government allowed the match because the ICC president is Jay Shah. He has been in BCCI for five years, not out of patriotism, but for business and profit,” the editorial charged.
