#DhoniKeepTheGlove: Former skipper need not remove 'Balidaan' insignia, says BCCI

Dhoni is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army and dagger is part of their emblem.

London: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come out in full support of Mahendra Singh Dhoni saying he will continue wearing the dagger insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves as it is not a military symbol. Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai asserted Friday that the BCCI has sought the ICC's permission for it. During India's opening World Cup game against South Africa in Southampton, Dhoni's green keeping gloves had a dagger logo embossed, which looked more like an Army insignia. "The BCCI had already sent a formal request to the ICC for clearance. As per ICC regulations, players can't sport any commercial, religious or military logo. There was nothing commercial or religious in this regard as we all know," Rai told PTI over phone. "And it is not the paramilitary regimental dagger that is embossed in his gloves. So Dhoni is not in breach of ICC regulations," he added.

.@KirenRijiju ji, As a former Sports Minister,may I request you to kindly intervene & let #DhoniKeepTheGlove

'ICC regulations do not permit messages relating to POLITICAL,RELIGIOUS or RACIAL activities/causes' THUS Insignia on Dhoni's gloves do not violate the ICC regulations! pic.twitter.com/PdPbH4QeBE — Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) June 7, 2019

His statement comes after the ICC "requested the BCCI" to ask Dhoni to remove the sign from the gloves, citing rules which forbid display of messages "which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes." MS DHONI WAS CONFERRED AN HONORARY RANK OF LT. COL IN 2011 

• Dhoni is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army and dagger is part of their emblem. The CoA chief's defence is based on the fact that the para-regimental dagger logo has word 'Balidan' (sacrifice) inscribed on it, which is not the case with the logo sported by Dhoni.

Indian Army has always been independent irrespective of the political party in power. We are proud of them. Lt. Col. @msdhoni has worn the Army insignia as a symbol of pride. Doesn’t hurt anyone’s sentiments, In fact it honours the brave #DhoniKeepTheGlove #WorldCup2019

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) June 7, 2019

• The argument may not cut much ice with the ICC if it strictly goes by rules.
• The CoA's intervention comes after there was social media criticism of the ICC's objections.

When asked how India would respond in case the ICC insists on the removal of the sign and sanctions Dhoni for defiance, Rai said, "I think there has been a request to get it removed and not an instruction.

Dear all at @ICC ,when you are done with which symbol a legendary cricketer (read MS Dhoni) wears on his glove, pls do take time to check out the standard of umpiring. The World Cup?Really now! BTW The 'Balidaan Badge' doesn't disrespect anyone.#DhoniKeepTheGlove#AUSvWI #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/IDTK6ELrC5

— Rahul Dev Official (@RahulDevRising) June 6, 2019

"As far as we are concerned, the BCCI CEO (Rahul Johri) will be reaching there before the Australia game and will be speaking to the senior ICC officials." ' LOGO DOESN'T BELONG TO INDIAN ARMY' The Indian Army did seek to intervene in the controversy but said the "badge on his glove can't be termed as ParaSF badge which is always in maroon colour & has 'Balidaan' word engraved on it."

##DhoniKeepTheGlove If there is chance to #Boycott other matches in #ICCWorldCup2019, we will if @ICC forcefully remove the gloves. #ICC doing disrespect to Indians. @ICC should ask #England to remove #lions from there T-Shirts.#ICCVersusIndia #ICCWC2019 @BCCI should back dhoni

— ManojB (@ManojBawane03) June 7, 2019

The controversy provoked a conversation on social media and a flurry of reactions from supporters of the former skipper. One of the fans demanded that England too should remove three lions from their jerseys. PAKISTAN BAFFLED BY INSIGNIA: BJP Speaking to ABP News,  BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said Pakistan is now afraid of facing Indians even on the cricket ground. "It is fueling the controversy because it is seeing Indian soldiers in the Men in Blue." NO COMPROMISE ON COUNTRY'S DIGNITY: KIREN RIJIJU The newly-appointed sports minister has sought BCCI's view on the matter and said there won't be any compromise on dignity and honour of the country. India defeated Proteas in their first World Cup and will next face Australia on June 9. It will be interesting to watch whether Dhoni will sport the glove or will the ICC have the last say. (With inputs from Agencies)