BJP’s Samik Bhattacharya: Fight Against Terror, Not Pakistan’s People or Cricketers

By A Staff Reporter

Kolkata: West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Monday clarified his party’s position on the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match, stating that India’s stand is against terrorism and radicalisation, not the people or cricketers of Pakistan.

Bhattacharya said, “We have no enmity against the people and cricketers of Pakistan. Our fight is against terrorism, Pakistan’s ideology, and its state doctrine. Our fight is against radicalisation. India doesn’t want to politicise sports. This is New India, and our captain said what he had to; now everyone is free to think whatever they want.”

His remarks came after Indian cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the team’s win to the Armed Forces and the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The gesture was widely lauded by many political leaders but also drew criticism from opposition figures who questioned the government’s decision to allow the match to go ahead.