New Delhi, Jan 16 The racial controversy involving Harbhjab Singh came up before the Supreme Court today with a cricket buff seeking direction to the BCCI to call its team back from Australia as it allegedly failed to protect the dignity of the country in recent controversy on playground.

The PIL in this regard was mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan which refused to give it urgent hearing and decided to hear it as scheduled on January 28.

Prince Lenin, a Lucknow-based advocate, who filed the PIL, submitted "BCCI should discontinue the ongoing Indian Cricket team's tour to Australian Continent, as they have failed to defend and protect the dignity, prestige and respect of the nation from being humiliated in front of entire world." The advocate also contended that BCCI should be restrained from using the name 'INDIA' for its team as it did not represent the nation in any tournament.

Further, it said that non-sporting persons should be debarred from holding posts in Sports Organisation like BCCI.

Referring to the incident of involving Harbhajan Singh and Australian player Andrew Symonds, the PIL said BCCI failed to take immediate measures so as to prevent persons from causing damages to the respect and dignity attached with each and every player representing India. (Agencies)