The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain an urgent plea seeking cancellation of the upcoming cricket match between India and Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup.
The matter was listed before a bench comprising Justices J. K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi after a lawyer sought expedited hearing. The India-Pakistan match is scheduled for September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium as part of the Asia Cup.
The bench, however, questioned the urgency and expressed its unwillingness to intervene. “What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be. Match is this Sunday, what can be done?” the bench remarked during the hearing. When the lawyer argued that the petition would lose relevance if not listed by Friday, the judges responded, “Match is this Sunday? What can we do about that? Let it be. Match should go on.”
The plea, filed by 4 law students led by Urvashi Jain, argued that holding a cricket match with Pakistan after recent terrorist incidents sends an inappropriate message. The petition specifically pointed to the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, stating that these events, which resulted in civilian deaths and endangered soldiers, make it insensitive to organize a sporting event with Pakistan at this time.
According to the petitioners, “Cricket between nations is meant to show harmony and friendship. But after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, when our people died and our soldiers risked everything, playing with Pakistan sent the opposite message that while our soldiers are sacrificing their lives, we are celebrating sports with the same country sheltering terrorists (sic).”
The plea further highlighted the emotional impact such a match could have on the families of the victims. “It can also hurt the sentiments of the families of the victims who lost their lives in the hand of the Pakistani terrorist. The dignity of the nation and security of citizens come before entertainment.”
Concerns Over National Interest
The petition also raised broader concerns, describing the match as “detrimental to the national interests” and harmful to the morale of the armed forces and the country’s citizens. It argued that the timing of the event undermines the sacrifices made by security forces and the grief endured by affected families.
Despite the petition’s plea, the top court declined to entertain the matter urgently, effectively allowing the match to proceed as planned.
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