SRK could have got lifetime ban by MCA

Till Thursday, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officials were confident that Shah Rukh Khan would be handed a life ban from entering the Wankhede Stadium. But they were in for a shock when the managing committee chaired by MCA president Vilasrao Deshmukh decided to ban Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner for five years.

Shah Rukh Khan in full flow during his clash against MCA officials at the Wankhede on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

"There was no good reason for banning Shah Rukh Khan for life. Agreed, he misbehaved and used abusive language, but he didn't threaten to kill anyone or anything like that. So, banning him for life wouldn't have been appropriate and our president also agreed to this view," a source told MiD DAY yesterday.

MCA president Vilasrao Deshmukh at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. Pic/Bipin Kokate

The Bollywood superstar allegedly hurled abuse at MCA and BCCI officials and manhandled the security after KKR's win over Mumbai Indians on Wednesday. After an hour-long managing committee meeting called on an urgent basis, Deshmukh read out the statement: "The managing committee of MCA condemns the behaviour of Shah Rukh Khan. The actor has shown no regret for his action and behaviour. In fact, he justified his actions. The managing committee is forced to ban Mr Shah Rukh Khan from entering the Wankhede Stadium. "Our decision to ban Shah Rukh Khan was unanimous. There was a proposal of lifetime ban, but we want to send a message that this is not how one should behave."

However, when asked about the possibility of the Board of Control for Cricket in Indian (BCCI) reversing the ban, Deshmukh said: "We have taken a decision to protect the dignity of our association. BCCI is our parent body and we have informed them of what happened. We have no control over BCCI's decision." MCA treasurer Ravi Savant said on Thursday that he would push for a life ban on Shah Rukh.

"The way he behaved and the way he abused us, I will definitely propose that he be banned for life. There is unanimity that he be dealt with strictly and very strongly," he had said. The ban doesn't seem to affect Shah Rukh to a great extent, as the actor would anyway not like to go to the Wankhede Stadium. "If this is the kind of behaviour meted out to people, then I would not go there," the actor said during a press conference at his residence on Thursday. MCA joint secretary Nitin Dalal remarked: "We cannot allow such misbehaviour. Now, people will think twice before behaving in such a way. It is right to ban him," said Dalal.u00a0