Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray also urged companies not to advertise during the India-Pakistan match. File

| Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini

Calling the BJP a party which does ‘drama of patriotism’, Shiv Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday (September 27, 2025) questioned the arrest of Leh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk.“Hindustan and Pakistan are going to play a match again [on Sunday]. This is the height of shamelessness. On one hand, the man who gives the technology to build solar tents for our Indian Army is being declared a traitor and put under arrest under the National Security Act. On the other hand, we are playing cricket with the country which actually sends terrorists in India. This is their drama of patriotism,” Mr. Thackeray said, addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday (September 27, 2025).Mr. Wangchuk is spearheading a mass agitation demanding Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory of Ladakh. After his detention under the NSA, questions are being raised by Opposition leaders.Talking about his arrest, Mr. Thackeray said, "It is unfortunate. Sonam Wangchuk developed solar tent technology for the Indian Army in difficult terrain. The one who is working for our forces has been dubbed anti-national and arrested under the NSA and you are playing cricket with Pakistan which spreads terror in India. What kind of patriotism is this?"Mr. Thackeray called for a boycott of the India-Pakistan match, and appealed to the sponsors and advertisers to withdraw their sponsorship. “Your bigger market is here,” he said.Aid for flood-hit farmersHe also sought a complete loan waiver for the flood-affected farmers of Maharashtra, along with financial aid of ₹50,000 per acre. He asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not come to visit the State despite the devastating flood situation.“The Prime Minister recently deposited ₹10,000 into the accounts of 75 lakh women of Bihar. This is because there are elections [there]. Now, the Maharashtra that voted for you is facing injustice, and no aid is being announced,” he said, demanding that the PM provide a financial aid package for the State worth at least ₹50,000 crore.Asked about the BJP’s allegations that he was playing politics at a time of crisis, he said, “If asking for justice and help counts for doing politics according to the Chief Minister, then we are happy to do it.” Published - September 27, 2025 04:00 pm IST