Did Arnab really spare the BJP on India-Pak match after Op Sindoor?

India vs Pakistan is always billed as the match of the year. Stadiums sell out, fans go berserk, broadcasters rake in money. But this time, the frenzy is less about cricket and more about politics.

Over the weekend, a clip from Arnab Goswami’s show began circulating on social media. In it, he was seen thundering against India’s cricketing icons – Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar – demanding to know why they weren’t boycotting the India–Pakistan match. Many who shared the clip framed it as proof that Arnab targets everyone but the government.

But did he really avoid questioning the BJP?

On Friday night’s Puchta Hai Bharat, Arnab did what he does best – turned the debate into a campaign, launching the hashtag #BoycottINDvsPAK. 

He reminded viewers how the Congress permitted cricket with Pakistan even after 26/11. And this time, he directly if indirectly questioned why the BJP was doing the same. He thundered: “Yeh Congress walon ki approach thi… BJP wale allow kyun kar rahe hain, khulkar keh raha hoon main!” (This used to be Congress’s approach… why are the BJP people allowing it, I’m saying this openly.)

When a panelist asked why Prime Minister Modi was allowing the match, Arnab replied with confidence: “Modi chahe toh ek minute mein match band karwa de… mujhe lagta hai karwa dena chahiye.” (If Modi wants, he can stop the match in one minute… I think he should get it stopped.)

Arnab didn’t stop at politicians. He dragged Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and Sachin Tendulkar into the debate, asking why India’s cricketing icons were not openly boycotting the clash. According to Arnab, cricket stars remain silent because of their financial ties to the BCCI and advertisers.

“Sachin Tendulkar, baat karo. Rahul Dravid, stop the silence. India ki cricketing fauj chup ho gayi hai, compromise ho gayi hai.” (Sachin Tendulkar, speak up. Rahul Dravid, break the silence. India’s cricketing army has gone quiet, it has compromised.)

However, the boycott chorus didn’t start in Arnab’s studio. During the monsoon session, several MPs demanded that India pull out of cricketing tournaments with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi had asked in the Rajya Sabha: “If we’ve restricted films and media, why not cricket too? How will widows of slain soldiers feel when we play with Pakistan?”

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi reminded the government of its own rhetoric: “The PM said blood and water can’t flow together. Terror and dialogue can’t go hand in hand. Then how do you justify cricket with Pakistan?”

Arnab’s show was co-presented by Vimal Pan Masala. The very same brand also sponsors the Asia Cup stream on Sony. 

But could India actually boycott the match?

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia laid out why cancelling isn’t an option. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he said: “Asia Cup is a multinational tournament like Olympics or FIFA. If we boycott, it will damage India’s image and our chances of hosting future tournaments.”

The same BCCI had earlier forced the PCB to shift India’s matches to neutral venues during the Champions Trophy. 

So once again, a predictable contradiction is laid bare. Politicians demand bans. Anchors whip up outrage. Cricketers are hectored for silence. But cricket boards quietly play by international rules.