NEW DELHI — A heated national debate has erupted following the decision by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), to sign Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman. The move has placed the cricket team at the center of a volatile intersection of sports, religion, and international diplomacy, drawing sharp criticism from religious leaders and sparking a divided response across India’s political landscape.
The controversy was ignited by prominent Hindu spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur, who told reporters that the inclusion of a Bangladeshi player is an affront to the public given reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Thakur argued that while religious figures typically remain neutral regarding entertainment and sports, the current climate necessitates a firm stance. “Allowing a player from Bangladesh to play in the IPL for a significant sum amounted to hurting the sentiments of 100 crore Hindus,” Thakur stated, demanding that Bangladeshi athletes be barred from the league and warning of potential protests if the contract is not rescinded.
The backlash quickly evolved into a partisan battleground. Members of the opposition Congress party defended the actor, suggesting he is being unfairly singled out. Congress national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate shifted the focus toward the central government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), led by Secretary Jay Shah. “The government must be questioned on why Bangladeshi players were allowed to participate in the IPL if concerns over atrocities were genuine,” Shrinate said, questioning why the Prime Minister and senior ministers have remained silent on the league’s vetting process. Fellow Congress leader Rakesh Sinha further alleged that Shah Rukh Khan’s identity was being used as a target for “selective outrage,” noting that India has historically continued cricket relations with Pakistan even during periods of high tension.
Within the ruling BJP, reactions were notably split. While BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo maintained that “sports should not be linked with politics,” he acknowledged that public emotions are high regarding national interests. However, other members of the party took a harder line. BJP MP Yogender Chandolia sided with Thakur, stating that signing a Bangladeshi player during a time of reported atrocities appeared “provocative” and called for the termination of the contract. Adding to the pressure, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal remarked that the actor “must decide whether he stands with India or anti-national forces,” and BJP leader Raj K. Purohit went as far as to call for a boycott of the actor’s films.
The friction has spread beyond the capital, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Manish Sahni threatening protests in Jammu and Kashmir if Rahman takes the field for KKR. Meanwhile, voices from the CPI(M) and Samajwadi Party have urged a de-escalation, condemning the mixture of religion and athletics. “Focus on social welfare,” Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma told religious leaders, suggesting they stay out of professional sports management. Despite the outcry, the BCCI has not yet issued an official statement regarding the eligibility of Bangladeshi players for the upcoming season.
