‘I Urge People to Boycott This’ – Pahalgam Terror Victim’s Wife Appeals Ahead of IND vs PAK Clash News24 –
As the cricketing world gears up for the high-stakes India vs Pakistan showdown on September 14 in the Asia Cup 2025, emotions are running high and not just in anticipation of the match. In India, a wave of opposition continues to grow around the fixture, especially in the aftermath of the devastating Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists.
While the BCCI has confirmed that the match will proceed as scheduled at the Dubai International Stadium, calls for a social boycott have intensified both online and on the ground. One of the most powerful voices in this movement is that of Aishanya Dwivedi, the widow of one of the Pahalgam attack victims.
#WATCH | Kanpur, UP: On upcoming India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025, Aishanya Dwivedi – wife of Pahalgam terror attack victim Shubham Dwivedi, says, “BCCI should not have accepted a match between India and Pakistan…I think BCCI is not sentimental towards those 26… pic.twitter.com/1tAu9wjqSo
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2025
“Don’t Watch, Don’t Switch On Your TV”: A Heartbreaking Plea
Aishanya’s husband, Shubham Dwivedi from Kanpur, was among those killed during the terror attack. The couple had travelled to Pahalgam for what should have been a peaceful trip – instead, it ended in unimaginable tragedy.
Now, with India preparing to face Pakistan in a high-profile cricket match, Aishanya has issued an emotional appeal to the public, broadcasters, sponsors, and players alike, urging them to rethink the decision to play and watch this game.
“BCCI should not have accepted a match between India and Pakistan… I think BCCI is not sentimental towards those 26 families. What are our cricketers doing? It is said that cricketers are nationalists. It is viewed as our national game. But except 1-2 cricket players, nobody stepped forward to say that we should boycott the match against Pakistan,” Aishanya said.
“BCCI cannot make them play at gunpoint. They should take a stand for their country. But they are not doing it.”
“Will You Fund Terrorism Through Cricket?”
Aishanya didn’t stop at questioning the players. She also called out the sponsors and broadcasters, questioning whether they had forgotten their national responsibilities.
“I would like to ask the sponsors and broadcasters – has your nationality for those 26 families finished? What will the revenue from the match be used for? Pakistan will use this just for terrorism. That is a terrorist nation. You will provide them revenue and prepare them to attack us once again. I cannot understand this,” she said.
Her plea was straightforward, heartfelt, and searing in its emotional weight:
“I urge people to boycott this. Do not go to watch this and do not switch on your TV for this.”
A Match Under Protest
While India vs Pakistan matches have always been tense and politically charged, this time the opposition is deeply personal for many. The fact that the match is scheduled barely weeks after a deadly terror attack has left large sections of the Indian public questioning the message such a game sends.
Aishanya’s words echo a broader national sentiment – one that believes cricket cannot be insulated from real-world consequences, especially when lives are lost and justice feels out of reach.
Cricketers’ Silence Under Scrutiny
Aishanya also expressed disappointment with the cricketing fraternity for staying silent during such a crucial moment.
“What are our cricketers doing? Except one or two cricketers, no one has come forward and said that we should boycott the match against Pakistan. Cricketers are also called nationalists, but BCCI cannot force them to play at gunpoint – they should stand up for the country, but they are not doing so,” she said.
A Nation Torn Between Cricket and Conscience
The India-Pakistan rivalry is cricket’s most watched contest, often pulling in hundreds of millions of viewers. But this time, it’s not just about cricket. It’s about grief, loss, and the uncomfortable intersection of politics, sport, and human tragedy.
Whether or not fans heed Aishanya’s call, her words have added a deeply emotional layer to a game already burdened with history and hostility. For many, this match will no longer be remembered only for its runs and wickets but also for the raw emotions surrounding it.