BJP leader Sangeet Singh Som welcomed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision instructing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), co-owned by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Som cited ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh as a key reason for supporting the move. He said SRK has understood not to go against the sentiments of “Sanatanis” and Hindus across the world.
Som thanked both the BCCI and the government for taking the decision while considering the feelings of Hindus globally. He stated that the BCCI has sent a clear message that decisions affecting public sentiment on such sensitive matters cannot be taken lightly. Som emphasized that while KKR owns the franchise, the BCCI has authority to intervene in cases where decisions may hurt the sentiments of millions.
Som clarified that the player had been bought during an old pool for the auction. With the auction now complete, he said SRK should have realized that including the player under these circumstances could offend hundreds of millions of Hindus. He described those involved in the initial inclusion of the player as “traitors” and congratulated BCCI and the government for acting promptly.
BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia stated that KKR would be allowed to replace Mustafizur Rahman if the franchise requests a replacement player. The decision comes amid political debates and criticism regarding the selection of the Bangladeshi cricketer. The inclusion of Mustafizur in the team sparked controversy due to recent attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur strongly criticized Shah Rukh Khan and KKR’s management for acquiring the player. The three-time IPL champions had bought Mustafizur for Rs 9.20 crore during the auction. Thakur highlighted the ongoing atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, including killings, arson, and sexual violence, and questioned how someone could be so indifferent to the plight of minorities while owning a cricket franchise. He condemned the inclusion of the player as heartless and cruel.
On the other hand, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor urged that cricket should not be linked to attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. He emphasized that Mustafizur Rahman is a sportsman with no connection to these incidents. Tharoor stated that the player had not been accused of hate speech, attacks, or supporting such acts. He argued that mixing sports with political or humanitarian issues was unfair. Tharoor also pointed out that India continues to engage with Bangladesh to protect minority communities and that these diplomatic efforts should continue independently of cricket.
The controversy over Mustafizur Rahman in KKR highlights the intersection of sports, politics, and social issues. It has ignited a debate involving party leaders, spiritual figures, and parliamentarians. The BCCI’s decision to instruct KKR to release the player underscores the board’s awareness of public sentiment and the need to balance sports administration with societal concerns. While some see the move as a necessary measure to respect public feelings, others argue that sports and politics should remain separate.
The development also raises questions about franchise ownership responsibilities and how sporting decisions can become entangled with political and social narratives. KKR will now have the opportunity to replace Mustafizur Rahman, ensuring the team’s competitiveness in IPL 2026 while adhering to the BCCI’s directive.
