Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Friday expressed strong opposition to the participation of the Pakistani hockey team in India, citing national security concerns in the wake of recent terror attacks.
Thackeray said that incidents like the recent attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, raise serious questions about India's continuing cultural and sporting engagements with Pakistan. He reiterated his party’s long-standing position that there should be no bilateral ties with Pakistan, especially in sports or entertainment, as long as it supports terrorism on Indian soil.
Shiv Sena (UBT), a prominent voice in Maharashtra politics, has often taken a firm stance on national security issues and cross-border relations. Thackeray’s comments come at a time when Pakistan’s men’s hockey team is participating in an international tournament hosted in India.
He stressed that India must adopt a consistent policy toward nations involved in hostile actions, arguing that the emotional sentiments of the people must be respected. “We cannot have a situation where we mourn attacks one day and host athletes from the same country the next,” he suggested.
