BJP joins Protests against Pakistani Women’s Team

TNI Bureau: After the stiff opposition from Utkal Bharat, Kalinga Sena, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagaran Sammukhya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has become the latest party to protest against Pakistan Women’s cricket team’s presence in Odisha.

The BJP vowed not to allow the Pakistan team to play in Barabati, Cuttack and DRIEMS, Tangi in the Group B matches of the Women’s World Cup 2013. Senior BJP leader Ashok Sahu said that his party would do everything possible to prevent the Pakistani Women’s Cricket team till Pakistan returns the severed head of Indian jawan Hemraj.

In another development, Utkal Bharat led by MA Kharavela Swain and the Kalinga Sena held a joint press conference to denounce the OCA’s move to hold Women’s World Cup matches in Odisha. They also submitted a memorandum to DGP Prakash Mishra.

Earlier, BJD MP from Cuttack, Bhartruhari Mahtab has questioned the decision to allow Pakistani team, saying had the martyr belonged to Odisha, would the OCA still agree to host the Women’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, the OCA had expressed confidence that the Women’s World Cup will be held peacefully in Odisha and urged the political parties and groups to withdraw their protets. The OCA officials have already met the DGP and Chief Ministers and reportedly got an assurance that there won’t be obstructions during the matches.