Synopsis:Hypocrisy defines India-Pakistan cricket match in Dubai as critics accuse Modi government and BCCI of betraying national sentiment, aiding Pakistan financially, and insulting martyrs.
By Dr. Mohammad Farooque, Qalam Times News Network
September 20, 2025
Hypocrisy and the India-Pakistan Match
Hypocrisy was laid bare when India and Pakistan faced off in Dubai despite widespread calls for boycott. In Maharashtra and across the country, many patriotic citizens switched off their televisions in protest. Yet, behind closed doors, BJP leaders and their allies reportedly enjoyed the game. Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar bluntly stated that the central government itself had decided to play Pakistan, leaving the cricket board and players with no choice. His candid words stripped away the mask of the Modi government.
Voices of Resistance
Actor Nana Patekar, breaking his long silence, voiced anger: “My people’s blood has been shed. Why should I play with those responsible for it?” His words struck a chord, contrasting sharply with the government’s insistence on continuing cricketing ties. Critics argue that the insistence came from Jay Shah, the BCCI chief and son of Home Minister Amit Shah. Questions resurface: on what merit was Jay Shah appointed? Many claim cricket has been reduced to a money game, where betting syndicates thrive, and national pride is sidelined.
Financial Gains for Pakistan
While Bollywood films featuring Pakistani actors are blocked in India, the same standard does not apply to cricket. The Dubai match reportedly generated at least ₹1,000 crore in revenue for the Pakistan Cricket Board. Massive betting syndicates added tens of thousands of crores more, much of which, according to allegations, flowed into networks that fuel terrorism. By allowing this match, critics say the Modi government indirectly strengthened the very forces responsible for attacks like Pulwama and Pahalgam.
Insult to the Martyrs
The spectacle turned into a cruel mockery for families of fallen soldiers. Asawari Jagdale, daughter of a martyr from Pune, broke down, saying: “Playing cricket with Pakistan is inviting terrorism and insulting the blood of innocents. Have some shame.” Her anguish resonates with many Indians who believe the team’s gestures, like dedicating the win to the army while refusing to shake hands with the Pakistani captain, are nothing more than symbolic theatrics. If the anger was genuine, critics ask, why play at all?
Political Patronage and Flattery
The Shinde faction in Maharashtra celebrated Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav for the win. Yet, such praise is seen as hypocrisy an insult to widows who lost their husbands to terror and to families torn apart by violence. For many observers, this episode has exposed the hollow nature of Hindutva-driven nationalism and revealed the government’s priorities as profit-driven rather than patriotic.
Through the India-Pakistan cricket match, the Modi-led BJP government not only displayed hypocrisy but also handed financial and symbolic victories to Pakistan. Critics argue that while soldiers fight and die at the borders, politicians and cricket administrators indulge in doublespeak and profiteering. For citizens, the choice remains clear: to condemn this betrayal and demand accountability from those who equate patriotism with business deals.
