A political and cultural row has erupted after Kolkata Knight Riders signed Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman for the upcoming IPL season. What began as a cricketing decision soon turned into a heated national debate involving politicians, spiritual leaders, and film personalities. At the centre of the storm stands Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of KKR, who now faces sharp criticism from sections of the BJP, while the Congress has stepped in to defend him.
The controversy has gained momentum amid growing tensions between India and Bangladesh over reported attacks on Hindus in the neighbouring country.
Why Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL Selection Triggered Anger
KKR’s decision to induct Mustafizur Rahman sparked backlash due to ongoing concerns over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Critics argue that Indian franchises should avoid associations with countries accused of human rights violations against minorities.
Supporters of the move, however, insist that sports should remain separate from politics and diplomacy.
Sangeet Som Calls Shah Rukh Khan a ‘Traitor’
BJP leader and former Uttar Pradesh MLA Sangeet Som strongly attacked Shah Rukh Khan over the KKR decision. He accused the actor of supporting a country that he claimed was hostile to India.
“The way Hindus are being persecuted in Bangladesh, women and girls are being raped, their homes are being burned, and anti-India slogans are being chanted there. Despite all this, traitors like Shah Rukh Khan, I’m calling him a traitor because everything he has is given by India, given by the people of India, but where do they invest this money? They invest it in players from a country that is working against India. I want to tell people like Shah Rukh Khan that they will not succeed,” Som said.
He also issued a warning against the Bangladeshi cricketer’s participation in the IPL.
“Rahman won’t be able to step outside the airport,” Som said.
Congress Defends SRK, Calls Remarks ‘Attack on Pluralism’
The Congress party reacted sharply to Som’s comments. MP Manickam Tagore described the remarks as divisive and dangerous. Taking to X, Tagore said, “Calling Superstar Shah Rukh Khan a ‘traitor’ is an attack on India’s pluralism. Hate cannot define nationalism. RSS must stop poisoning society.”
Congress leaders argue that labelling individuals as anti-national for business or sporting decisions threatens India’s democratic values.
What Spiritual Leader Dhirendra Shastri Said
Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, took a more measured stand. He said decisions related to cricket teams fall under the authority of the BCCI.
“BCCI will make the decision. But our point is that the Bangladeshi cricketers should raise this issue, that our Hindu brothers who live there should be protected and secured. They should be protected there, and they should not be harassed in any way. It is also their responsibility. A game is a game; a game has its own rules, and nothing like this applies to the game. But they should speak up for the nation and society…,” Shastri said.
He stressed that while sports should remain neutral, players should raise their voices on humanitarian issues.
Other Hindu Spiritual Leaders Join the Criticism
Several Hindu spiritual figures echoed criticism of Shah Rukh Khan. Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya described SRK’s actions as “traitorous” and questioned his “character.” Another spiritual leader, Devkinandan Thakur, strongly opposed the selection of the Bangladeshi cricketer.
#WATCH | Haridwar, Uttarakhand: On Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur’s statement, BJP leader Sangeet Singh Som says, “The way Hindus are being persecuted in Bangladesh, women and girls are being raped, their homes are being burned, and anti-India slogans are being chanted… pic.twitter.com/wshV7rfk9Q
— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2026
“In Bangladesh, Hindus are being brutally murdered, their homes are being burned, and their sisters and daughters are being raped. After witnessing such brutal killings, how can someone be so heartless, especially someone who calls himself the owner of a team? How can he be so cruel as to include a cricketer from that very country in his team?” Thakur said.
He also made personal remarks about the actor’s rise to fame.
“This country made you a hero, a superstar, and gave you so much power that you own a cricket team. What were you before? You worked in a TV serial, earning ₹500-1000 a day,” he said.
Thakur demanded that KKR remove the player and redirect his reported earnings to affected families.
Bangladesh Violence Adds Fuel to the Debate
The controversy intensified after reports of fresh violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. In one recent incident, a Hindu businessman was allegedly attacked, hacked, and set on fire by unidentified assailants.
The victim was identified as 50-year-old Khokon Chandra Das. The attack reportedly took place while he was returning home after closing his shop.
Such incidents have strengthened calls from critics who argue that Indian platforms should take a moral stand.
Sports vs Politics: The Larger Question
The debate has once again raised an old question. Should sports remain separate from politics? Or should teams and players be held accountable for geopolitical realities?
Supporters of SRK say the IPL is a professional league governed by rules, not international relations. Critics say moral responsibility cannot be ignored.
The BCCI has not issued any official statement on the controversy so far, and KKR has also remained silent.
As political reactions grow louder, the issue may shift from cricket fields to parliamentary debates. For now, Shah Rukh Khan remains at the centre of a polarising national conversation.
