'Nationalism is poison': Hindu hardliner watching match with Shahid Afridi sparks row online

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and nationalist Anurag Thakur watching the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025 match between Pakistan and India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday has sparked controversy online.

Hindutva leader Anurag Thakur is known for introducing objectionable slogans against Muslims in India, like Desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maro s** ko* (Shoot down the traitors who betray the country). He was now seen with Shahid Afridi and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Chairman Jay Shah during the recent crucial clash between Pakistan and India.

India secured a dominant six-wicket victory over Pakistan on Sunday, equalising Pakistan's record for the most wins in the Champions Trophy format against India.

Internet users called out the Union Minister for sitting beside Afridi, with some netizens lambasting Thakur for his hypocrisy.

One user took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing the Thakur picture with Afridi and writing, “Shahid Afridi is enjoying cricket and the company of Hindutva leader Anurag Thakur and Amit Shah’s son, Jay Shah. Indian and Pakistani nationalists are fools to fight between themselves!”

Another user wrote, “This is BJP Leader and Nepotism Product Anurag Thakur. This man coined the term “Desh ke Gaddaron ko , Goli maaro s*** ko” This man wanted kids of poor Hindus to come out on the streets to save religion and country. Yesterday, he was seen in Dubai, laughing and sitting with Pakistan's Shahid Afridi.”

“Anurag Thakur, after enjoying Biryani with Shahid Afridi! BJP-RSS's ideology, in a nutshell, is Hypocrisy so strong that even their own WhatsApp groups must be confused!” wrote the third user.

Another user questioned, “Do you know how many articles the Propaganda website Opindia wrote on Shahid Afridi? 40. Will they write on this now as he is seen enjoying the match with their masters?”

Resharing an old clip of Thakur raising objectionable slogans against Indian Muslims, a user, while sharing the BJP leader's picture with Afridi, wrote, “Nationalism is a poison given to the poor by the rich.”

Another user remarked, “If it had been any Congress leader instead of Anurag Thakur, Bhakts would have declared him Anti-National by now. Shahid Afridi calls Kashmir a part of Pakistan.”