Himachal Youth Congress president Vikramaditya threatens to storm India-Pakistan match
Youth Congress members have threatened to stage a protest if India-Pakistan is played in Dharamshala. (Source: AP)
Even as Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has left it upto BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur to resolve issue with martyrs’ families, Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress president Vikramaditya Singh on Friday announced his decision to lead a procession/protest march of Youth Congress from house of martyr to Cricket stadium if the match is not cancelled .
Vikramditya, who is also Chief Minister’s son, earlier also opposed the World T20 match with Pakistan at Dharamshala in the wake of martyrdom of four Himachal Pradesh jawans, two of them laying down their lives at Pathankot airbase attack in January 2016.
“Holding of such a match is an insult to the martyrs. Youth Congress is against any engagement with Pakistan till the time the country stops supporting terror activities,” he declared.
He termed BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur’s meeting with Chief Minister as a mere political stunt and requested the state government to continue to oppose the match and families of the martyrs and several others were totally opposed to the match.
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Vikramaditya said that his organisation was against any kind of sporting engagement with Pakistan till the time the country stops sponsoring terrorist activities against India from its soil or takes strict action against such terrorists. “As per our resolution which was taken during the HP Youth Congress executive Committee meeting, we will continue to oppose holding of the T20 match with Pakistan at Dharamshala Stadium in Himachal,” he said.
Youth Congress leader said the India-Pakistan T20 match, which is scheduled to be played at HPCA stadium should either be cancelled, keeping in view the movement started against the match by the families of martyred soldiers and general public or shifted elsewhere.
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“Holding of the match is purely commercial and it would not have any impact on diplomatic ties between the two countries as was being projected by the BJP leaders,” he said
Meanwhile Arun Singh, who is HPCA office bearer and Anurag Thakur’s younger brother went to the family of martyr Sanjeevan Rana and met his widow. Reports said Pinki Rana, widow of the martyr and other family members made it clear that they will not support the match at any cost.
Earlier on Thursday, Major (Rtd) Vijai Singh Mankotia, who heads Indian Exservices League has given a call for ‘Operation Balidan’ on March 19 to oppose the match claiming that match issue was non-negotiable since it involves the sentiments of the families of the martyrs and exservicemen.
