With the much-awaited India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 coming up, controversy has again surrounded the cricketing showdown. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding cancellation of the match due to prevailing political unrest and recent national disasters was filed in the Supreme Court just days before the big clash.
The petition, submitted under Article 32 of the Constitution by four law students spearheaded by Ms. Urvashi Jain, petitioned for the court to cancel the September 14 match in Dubai. The plea mentioned the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, during which civilian and military lives were lost, contending that allowing a match with Pakistan under such a climate insults public emotion and the sacrifices of the Armed Forces.
The petitioners had said that sporting activity with a nation alleged to be backing terrorism sends the wrong signal to the country and demoralises military personnel and the families of victims. “Cricket cannot be placed above national dignity or human life,” the plea had claimed.
Still, the Supreme Court bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi declined to hear the plea in haste, commenting that “it’s just a match.”
The counsel asked the judges to atleast list the case before them but Justice Maheshwari replied that what was the urgency? It is just a match and it is on Sunday.
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This is not the first time that such demands have been raised. Although India-Pakistan bilateral series are still out of question due to diplomatic strain, the BCCI sticks to guidelines of the government that permit matches in multi-country tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia recently clarified that pulling out of multinational tournaments might attract sanctions from international cricket organizations such as the ICC and Asian Cricket Council, jeopardizing Indian players’ careers.
