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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) that aimed to stop the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from referring to its players as the "India Cricket Team". A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela came down heavily on the petitioner, calling the plea a “sheer wastage of time."
The petitioner argued that since the BCCI is a private body and not a government-recognised sports authority, it has no right to call its side "Team India".
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked the petitioner if he is saying that the cricket team, which is going everywhere, doesn't represent India?
"Are you saying the team doesn’t represent India? This team, which is going everywhere and representing India, you are saying they don’t represent India? Is it not Team India? If it is not Team India, please tell us why it is not Team India," Justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked during the hearing.
Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya also strongly rebuked the petitioner, stating that the court could not find any merit in the PIL, as it would be a sheer waste of time. He also asked the petitioner that the Indian contingent taking part in the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games is selected by the Indian Government? And do they represent India?
"It is sheer wastage of the court’s time and your own time… Tell us about a national team, in a single sport which is selected by the government officials. Whether the Indian contingent taking part in the Commonwealth Games, Olympics… Are they selected by government officials? Do they not represent India? Hockey, football, tennis — any sport," the Chief Justice said.
The Bench also clarified that the cricket team’s use of the national flag or symbols does not violate any law.
“If you want to unfurl a flag in your house, are you prohibited from doing so?" the court asked.
The judges reminded the petitioner that sports organisations operate independently and are not controlled by the government. They also said that international sports bodies do not support government involvement in sports matters.
