Today, On 11th September, Supreme Court says “Match Must Go On,” refusing urgent hearing on PIL seeking cancellation of India vs Pakistan Asia Cup game. Petitioners argued that holding the match after Pahalgam terror attack hurts national dignity and public sentiment.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court declined to expedite the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition that seeks to cancel the upcoming T20 cricket match between India and Pakistan, scheduled to take place in Dubai on September 14 as part of the Asia Cup.
The petition, brought forward by four law students led by Urvashi Jain, was presented to a bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi.
The petitioners’ counsel requested that the case be heard on Friday, given the match’s proximity.
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The lawyer urged,
“The match is on Sunday. Please list it tomorrow,”
In response, the bench stated,
“The match must go on.”
The attorney persisted,
“I may have a bad case but please get it listed,”
The Court replied,
“No, nothing, The match must go on.”
The petitioners argue that hosting a cricket match with Pakistan shortly after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, where Indian civilians and soldiers lost their lives, conveys a message that undermines national dignity and public sentiment.
They contend that cricket should not take precedence over national interests, the safety of citizens, or the sacrifices made by armed forces personnel.
Additionally, the petitioners are seeking directions for the enforcement of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
The case was filed with the assistance of advocates Sneha Rani, Abhishek Verma, and Md. Anas Chaudhary.
A tragic terrorist attack took place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, On April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 28 people. The attackers, believed to be linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), a group associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted a group of tourists.
They separated men from women and children before shooting them at close range. The victims were chosen because they could not recite Islamic verses, and many were killed at restaurants and in wooded areas.