Sena asks if BJP will label Himachal CM anti-national

Image
Press Trust of India Mumbai
Last Updated : Mar 09 2016 | 11:42 AM IST
Shiv Sena today warned the BJP of people's ire if it goes ahead with the proposed India-Pakistan cricket T20 World Cup match and questioned if the party will label Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh "anti-national" for opposing it.
"Virbhadra Singh has opposed the match in his state. This opposition is not political and neither is it religious. This opposition is for the country as families of many slain jawans reside there.
"If he (Singh) thinks that holding a match will be a disrespect to the martyred soldiers, will you (the BJP) label him an 'anti-national' and hang him for this crime?" Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
Singh had said the game should be shifted out of Dharamsala to respect popular sentiments after the Pathankot terror attacks.
He had also said the state government cannot ensure security of players and that welcoming Pakistani players on Indian soil will be a "disrespect to the martyred soldiers".
Taunting the Centre over its stand to ensure security of Pakistani players in India, Sena questioned "what happens to its self-confidence on other occasions".
Sena also warned the BJP of people's ire if it goes ahead with the match despite objections.
The alliance partner asked, "Will playing the cricket match stop farmers suicides in Maharashtra and other parts of the country? Will there be peace in Jammu & Kashmir? Will our soldiers be safe on borders? Will pro-Pakistan slogans stop?"
It further said Pakistani investigation agencies coming to India to investigate the Pathankot attacks is an "insult to soldiers" and that though the government has changed, Pakistan appeasement has not ceased.
"We have a very straight question to ask...We may not know much on foreign policy and maintaining relations with neighbours, but if this match does not happen, will all hell break loose? Will appeasing Pakistanis suddenly get us all the black money stacked abroad?" questioned Sena.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 09 2016 | 11:42 AM IST

Next Story