Families of victims express anguish over cricket fixture
The upcoming cricket match between India and Pakistan has triggered emotional opposition from families of those killed in the recent Pahalgam terror attack. They believe holding the game undermines their grief and questions the government’s stand on terrorism.
On April 22, Pakistan-backed terrorists launched a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, killing 26 tourists and leaving many injured. Since then, emotions have remained raw, and families of victims say their wounds have not healed.
Speaking on Saturday, Sawan Parmar, who lost his father and 16-year-old brother, condemned the decision to play the match. “When we got to know the India vs Pakistan match is being organised, we were very disturbed. No sort of connection should remain with Pakistan,” he said.
“Operation Sindoor feels wasted,” says victim’s son
The government launched Operation Sindoor to root out terrorism in the Valley. However, Parmar expressed that the attack and the subsequent match have left the campaign feeling meaningless. “Operation Sindoor seems to be a waste now,” he remarked.
He added that if authorities wanted to conduct the match, they should first return his younger brother, who was killed in the attack. His comments reflected the deep pain and sense of betrayal felt by families who lost loved ones.
Mother questions PM Modi over timing of the match
Kiran Yatish Parmar, mother of the victims, directly questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She asked why an India-Pakistan match was being allowed while Operation Sindoor was still incomplete.
“This match should not happen. I want to ask Prime Minister Modi, Operation Sindoor has not concluded, so why is this India vs Pakistan match happening? Our wounds have not healed,” she said.
Kiran urged citizens to visit the victim families to understand their grief before celebrating such events. Her words underline the sentiment among many who feel national pride must not come at the cost of ignoring fresh tragedies.
Political voices join calls for boycott
The criticism is not limited to grieving families. Former cricketer and BJP leader Kedar Jadhav has also opposed the fixture. Speaking to reporters, Jadhav said, “I don’t know what will happen, but I have already said that, according to me, this match should not be played.”
His comments highlight the divide within India about whether cricket can remain separate from politics and terrorism. While some argue that sport must continue, others insist that playing Pakistan after such an attack sends the wrong signal.
Emotions ahead of high-stakes game
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is among the most watched sporting events in the world. However, every time the two nations face off, political tensions and public sentiment shape the atmosphere.
This time, the debate is sharper because of the Pahalgam attack. Families who are still mourning see the match as disrespectful to the memory of their loved ones. Nationalist voices have amplified their call, urging the government to reconsider participation.
For now, the match remains on schedule, but the growing opposition reflects the complexity of balancing national security, diplomacy, and sportsmanship in a time of grief.