Sat Sep 13 09:48:40 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:
**Summary:**
Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), strongly opposes India playing a cricket match with Pakistan, citing the ongoing sacrifices of Indian soldiers and the recent Pahalgam terror attack. He argues that playing cricket is an insult to national sentiments and a weak stance against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. He announced ‘sindoor’ protests across Maharashtra to boycott the Asia Cup Match. Thackeray questions the government’s foreign policy and its commitment to reclaiming Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. He referenced the U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics as an example of taking a strong stance.
**News Article:**
**Shiv Sena (UBT) Calls for Boycott of India-Pakistan Cricket Match, Citing National Security Concerns**
**Mumbai, September 13, 2025** – Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray today vehemently condemned the upcoming Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan, labeling it an “insult to national sentiments” in light of ongoing border conflicts and recent terrorist attacks.
At a press conference in Mumbai, Thackeray highlighted the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and the lingering trauma of the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians earlier this year. He questioned the timing of the match, asking, “Should we be playing cricket with Pakistan while our soldiers sacrifice their lives on the borders?”
Thackeray announced that Shiv Sena (UBT) will stage “sindoor” protests across Maharashtra, urging citizens to boycott the match as a demonstration of solidarity with the armed forces and a rejection of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The party plans to collect vermilion (sindoor) and send it to the Prime Minister’s Office as a symbolic gesture.
“Boycotting the match will send a strong signal to the world about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism,” Thackeray stated, criticizing the BJP-led central government for allegedly prioritizing trade over national security. He drew a parallel to the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Thackeray also criticized the government’s foreign policy, questioning its effectiveness in addressing Pakistan’s role in terrorism and its commitment to reclaiming Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. “Is Pakistan a terror state or not? Is it our enemy or not? Soldiers are getting martyred, and these people play cricket,” he remarked.
The controversy surrounding the cricket match comes in the wake of “Operation Sindoor,” a military campaign launched in May 2025 following the Pahalgam attack, aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure along the Line of Control.
First Piper 