During an event at Miranda House College in Delhi, a question about the Asia Cup 2025 triggered a significant controversy. BJP leader Rakesh Sinha was asked why cricket matches are being played with Pakistan, considering the government’s stance during Operation Sindoor that ‘blood and water cannot flow together.’ Sinha’s response drew criticism and ignited a social media uproar.
Sinha stated that the ‘blood and water’ analogy did not apply to cricket, arguing that sports, arts, and culture belong to the world, not just one nation. He maintained that cricket is merely a game and should not be politicized.
Following the controversy, Rakesh Sinha issued a clarification, stating that his remarks had been misinterpreted. He explained that misunderstandings arose due to the omission of his final comments from the video and some imprecise wording. He clarified that while he generally considers sports and art above politics, an exception exists concerning terrorist-linked Pakistan. He personally opposes the match but stated a specific part of the video was circulated, illustrating a ‘post-truth’ scenario.