Describing the ban on Harbhajan Singh as unfair and unacceptable, the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Monday made it clear that it would appeal against the order and fight the "false slur" cast on its ace spinner.
After a meeting of its top office-bearers to take stock of the situation, the BCCI said it would also request the International Cricket Council in its appeal to suspend the order of three Test ban against Harbhajan.
BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said president Sharad Pawar had convened the meeting which discussed all the developments which led to India's defeat in the second Test against Australia and also the issue of Harbhajan Singh.
The Cricket Board came out with a statement, saying that it was committed to protect the country's fair name.
Here is the statement by BCCI president Sharad Pawar:
<B>"The BCCI is filing an appeal challenging match referee Mike Proctor's order on spinner Harbhajan Singh. Unfair allegation of racism against our Indian player is wholly unacceptable. The game of cricket is paramount but so, too, is the honour of India's cricket team and every Indian. The BCCI is committed to protect the country's fair name. India's national commitment is against racism. Our national struggle is based on values which negate racism. The BCCI will fight this false and unfair slur cast on our player. BCCI will request the ICC and in its appeal to suspend the order against Harbhajan Singh till the disposal of the appeal."</B>