"Nation wants PoK...bullet and ball cannot go together": Pramod Tiwari

New Delhi [India], July 29 (ANI): Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Tuesday asked the government to clarify who was responsible for the ceasefire agreement during Operation Sindoor and under what circumstances 26 tourists were killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam. He also questioned why cricket ties with Pakistan were continuing despite heightened security concerns, saying, "A bullet and a ball cannot go together."
Speaking to ANI, Tiwari said,"I will not take any names, but I will say one thing clearly that there are no contradictions among the Congress regarding Operation Sindoor or any other issue in the Parliament. Our line is clear that the PM should take responsibility and answer who was responsible for the ceasefire. Should clarify the claims made by Trump 28 times. Who is responsible for the 26 deaths in Pahalgam?"
He further questioned the government's handling of the situation, adding, "In what conditions did we retreat? A bullet and a ball cannot go together. The nation's sentiment is not in favour of cricket at the moment. The nation wants the PoK to be part of India's map... They are saying that Operation Sindoor is still underway. Is the cricket part of it?"
Tiwari's comments came after it was announced that the Men's Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28. The announcement was made on Saturday by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. His remarks also came amid repeated claims by former US President Donald Trump that he played a key role in brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, using trade talks after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists.
India will begin their campaign against the UAE on September 10. They will face Pakistan on September 14, followed by their final group-stage match against Oman on September 19. The tournament will open with Afghanistan vs Hong Kong on September 9.
On Monday, as Parliament continued its debate on Operation Sindoor, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi also raised concerns over the upcoming India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup and questioned the lack of accountability for the Pahalgam attack.
During the Lok Sabha discussion on Operation Sindoor, Owaisi said, "Does your conscience allow you to ask the family members of the people who were killed in Baisaran to watch India's cricket match with Pakistan?... We are stopping 80 per cent of Pakistan's water, saying that water and blood will not flow together. Will you play a cricket match? My conscience does not allow me to watch that match."
Directly addressing the government, he asked, "Does this government have the courage to call the 25 dead people and say we have taken revenge in Operation Sindoor; now you watch the match with Pakistan?"
The Asia Cup will see India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman placed in Group A, while Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
The Lok Sabha began its discussion on 'India's strong, successful, and decisive Operation Sindoor,' launched in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, on Monday afternoon. The debate was initiated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (ANI)