Justice Katju: Why I will be supporting Pakistan in tomorrow’s match

Tomorrow, Saturday, 14th October, the world will be riveted to the crucial World Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad. As the two cricketing giants clash, fans from across the globe, especially from the Indian subcontinent, will be watching with bated breath.

In this contest, I am rooting for Pakistan. This stance may invite labels such as ‘deshdrohi’, anti-national, and traitor from several quarters in India, but I urge everyone to consider my reasons:

1. Size and Underdog Mentality: India, with its vast population of about 1.4 billion, towers over Pakistan, which has a population of around 240 million. Given this disparity, Pakistan naturally emerges as the underdog. I have a penchant for supporting the underdog, a sentiment I have articulated in a previous article.
2. Current Struggles of Pakistan: While India grapples with its share of problems, Pakistan’s current challenges are more severe. An oppressive regime has arrested and tortured nearly 10,000 Pakistanis on dubious grounds post the 9th May incidents. With the media and judiciary facing curtailment, the nation is submerged in a climate of fear. Coupled with this is the stark economic crisis, with the nation grappling with bankruptcy. A victory in cricket might offer a brief respite to Pakistanis, lifting their spirits during these tumultuous times.
3. A Unified Vision for India and Pakistan: I’ve consistently maintained that India and Pakistan, despite being divided in 1947, remain spiritually one nation. This division, rooted in the controversial two-nation theory, is a historical aberration. I foresee a reunion of the two countries in the future, reminiscent of the coming together of West and East Germany. With this perspective, no matter which team wins, it’s a victory for the subcontinent. I’ve expounded on this viewpoint in previous articles and here.
4. Solidarity with Imran Khan: My support extends to former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, who finds himself imprisoned under deplorable conditions in Adiala Jail. Despite this, he continues to spearhead the democratic movement against autocracy in Pakistan. Imran Khan’s cricketing legacy, particularly leading Pakistan to triumph in the 1992 World Cup, remains iconic. I yearn for the current Pakistani team to clinch the World Cup, and in a symbolic gesture, present it to Imran Khan in jail, echoing the sentiment, “Captain, we have reclaimed the Cup you once won for us in 1992”. For more on my admiration for Khan, read here.

In conclusion, sports have the power to transcend politics and borders. As fans, let’s cherish the spirit of the game, respecting diverse viewpoints and upholding camaraderie.