In a dramatic turn of events just days before the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan T20 clash in the Asia Cup 2025, the Supreme Court declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to cancel the high-profile match.
The PIL, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution by four law students led by Ms. Urvashi Jain, argued that holding the match so soon after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor would send a wrong signal to the nation and undermine the morale of the armed forces.
The Hearing
During the brief hearing, the counsel for the petitioners pleaded for urgent listing of the matter.
Counsel: “I may have a bad case, but please list before you.”
Justice JK Maheshwari: “What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be. Match is this Sunday, what can be done?”
The bench, also comprising Justice Vijay Bishnoi, refused to interfere, observing that it was not inclined to halt an international sporting event.
What the Petition Said
Playing cricket with Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack is inconsistent with national dignity.
Such a match hurts the sentiments of martyrs’ families and lowers the morale of the armed forces.
“Cricket cannot be placed above national interest,” the petition read.
BCCI’s Position
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reiterated that it follows the central government’s policy — no bilateral cricket with Pakistan but participation in multinational tournaments is mandatory.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia cautioned that boycotting the Asia Cup would invite sanctions from the Asian Cricket Council or ICC, harming Indian players’ careers and India’s global cricketing reputation.
This is not the first time calls have been made to boycott India–Pakistan matches. While public sentiment often demands a hardline approach after terror incidents, the government’s policy attempts to strike a balance between national sentiment and international sporting obligations.