A petition has been moved before the Supreme Court of India, calling for a ban on the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan cricket match scheduled for September 14 as part of the Asia Cup tournament. The plea, filed by Pune-based activist Ketan Tirodkar, argues that holding such a sporting event at this juncture is both unconstitutional and insensitive, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in May that claimed the lives of 26 individuals. The petitioner maintains that conducting a match with Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of such violence conveys a message that undermines the sacrifices of Indian citizens and armed forces.
In his submission, Tirodkar invoked Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. He emphasized that this fundamental right extends beyond mere survival and includes the assurance of dignity for every citizen. According to him, organizing a cricket match with Pakistan under the present circumstances directly threatens this constitutional protection by disregarding the emotional trauma, insecurity, and sense of betrayal felt by Indians after repeated terrorist strikes traced back to Pakistani soil.
The plea further sought judicial intervention under Article 32 of the Constitution, which empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights. It requested that the court direct the government to ensure the immediate implementation of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The petitioner argued that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should be brought under the jurisdiction of the National Sports Federation (NSF), thereby making it accountable to the National Sports Board (NSB) and obliging it to strictly follow the policies and guidelines laid down under the new law.
A significant aspect of the petition is its contention that the match against Pakistan is not merely a sporting encounter but a decision with far-reaching national implications. Tirodkar asserted that allowing such a match amounts to sending an “anti-national message” to both Indian citizens and soldiers. In his words, the decision communicates that “we do not care for you,” as it symbolically treats Pakistan as a friendly nation despite the ongoing bloodshed inflicted by terrorists operating in the Kashmir Valley.
The plea described BCCI’s decision to proceed with the event as “draconian” and prejudicial to the larger national interest. It highlighted that the rights of citizens and security personnel are being eroded when sporting ties are maintained with a country allegedly linked to terrorist violence against India. The petitioner argued that prioritizing cricket over national security and dignity undermines the morale of the armed forces and sends the wrong message at both domestic and international levels.
The Supreme Court, with a bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, is set to hear the petition on September 12. The case is expected to draw considerable attention as it touches upon the sensitive intersection of national security, constitutional rights, and the autonomy of sports administration in India.
