Protests against World T20 match between India and Pakistan at Dharamshala have started picking up momentum in the State.The Congress has decided not to allow the match to be held on March 19 at any cost.

Also, voices have been raised from several quarters, asking the match to be taken away from the state as a sign of respect for the two soldiers who lost their lives during the terror attack at an air base in Pathankot last month.

The Congress, at the meeting of the PCC executive, decided to hold mass protests, rallies and dharnas all over the state to ensure that the Pakistan team is not allowed to play the match.

PCC president Sukhwinder Sukhu said the BCCI has been given a final ultimatum either to call off the match or shift its venue elsewhere. “We are not opposed to the game but this match between India and Pakistan can’t be allowed,” he said.

He said there was a consensus in the executive committee meeting that Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh should be asked to get the match cancelled to respect the sentiments of the families of the martyrs of Pathankot and Kashmir attack involving Pakistan militants.

The PCC also asked BJP MP Anurag Thakur to clarify his stand on holding the match at Dharamshala as he had earlier led Rashtria Ekta Yatra from Kolkata to lal Chowk ( Kashmir ) to hoist national flag.

According to a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by veteran BJP leader Shanta Kumar, he has also asked the PM to call off the T20 India-Pak match scheduled at Dharamsala on March 19.

“It will be difficult for the families of the martyrs and people of Himachal to see Pakistani flag fluttering at the stadium, which is at a stone’s throw from the War Memorial.

The state government too is against the match. I urge you to call off the match as the safety of Pakistani supporters could be at risk,” he had written.