New Delhi, January 2, 2026

The inclusion of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has snowballed into a major political controversy, triggering sharp exchanges between leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress, and several regional parties. What began as a high-profile cricketing decision following the IPL 2026 auction has now turned into a heated debate over nationalism, sports, and India’s strained relations with Bangladesh.

The controversy erupted after KKR secured Mustafizur Rahman at the IPL 2026 auction for ₹9.20 crore, a price that drew attention both for its size and for the player’s nationality. Cricket analysts largely viewed the purchase as a strong tactical move, given Rahman’s experience in T20 leagues worldwide and his reputation as a death-overs specialist. However, the signing sparked a backlash in political circles amid heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh following the recent killing of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, which has fuelled outrage and concerns over the safety of minorities in the neighbouring country.

BJP leaders launch sharp attack

The strongest criticism came from BJP leader Sangeet Som, who backed remarks made by Hindu spiritual figure Devkinandan Thakur questioning Shah Rukh Khan’s decision to include a Bangladeshi player in his IPL team. Som went a step further, branding the actor a “gaddar” (traitor) and accusing him of investing money in players from a country that he claimed was “working against India.”

According to Som, reports of alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh should have prompted Indians, particularly influential public figures, to distance themselves from any engagement with the country. He alleged that Hindus were being persecuted in Bangladesh, women and girls were being raped, homes were being set on fire, and anti-India slogans were being raised.

“Despite all this, traitors like Shah Rukh Khan—yes, I am calling him a traitor because everything he has is given by India and the people of India—where do they invest this money? They invest it in players from a country that is working against India,” Som was quoted as saying by ANI. He added that such actions would not be accepted by the public.

Devkinandan Thakur’s remarks and Som’s endorsement of them triggered strong reactions across the political spectrum, with critics accusing the BJP of communalising sport and targeting a prominent Muslim actor.

Shiv Sena leaders add to pressure

The controversy widened further with comments from leaders of the Shiv Sena. Party leader Sanjay Nirupam urged Shah Rukh Khan to remove Mustafizur Rahman from KKR, arguing that doing so would be in Khan’s “own good” and would also “protect India’s interests.”

“When the entire country is enraged and angry at Bangladesh, anyone in India who has even the slightest connection to Bangladeshis could become a target of that anger,” Nirupam said. “If there is a Bangladeshi in Shah Rukh Khan’s team, before he becomes a major target, we request that Shah Rukh Khan remove the Bangladeshi from his team,” he told ANI.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey adopted an even more hardline position, calling for a blanket ban on Bangladeshi and Pakistani players in the IPL. He argued that such players should not be allowed to play on Indian soil, especially in light of what he described as hostility towards India and violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

“Bangladeshi players shouldn’t be allowed to play on Indian soil in the IPL. Pakistani and Bangladeshi players should be prohibited,” Dubey said. He added that if Shah Rukh Khan failed to remove the Bangladeshi cricketer from his team despite the public uproar, it would show that the actor did not understand the sentiments of the nation, even though he lived and earned in India.

Congress defends Shah Rukh Khan, questions BJP narrative

The Congress came out strongly in defence of Shah Rukh Khan, accusing BJP leaders of stoking hatred and undermining India’s pluralistic values. Congress MP Manickam Tagore B criticised the use of the word “traitor” against the actor, calling it an attack on the country’s core ethos.

“Calling Shah Rukh Khan a ‘traitor’ is an attack on India’s pluralism,” Tagore said. “Hate cannot define nationalism. The RSS must stop poisoning society,” he added, referring to the BJP’s ideological parent.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also entered the debate, turning the spotlight on cricketing authorities rather than the franchise owner. She questioned who had allowed Bangladeshi players to be part of the IPL auction pool in the first place, directing her criticism at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“I want to ask who put the Bangladeshi players in that pool. This question is for the BCCI and the ICC,” Shrinate said. Taking an indirect swipe at cricket administrator Jay Shah, she added, “The home minister’s son, Jay Shah, should answer who put Bangladeshi players in the pool where IPL players are bought and sold. He is the ICC’s chief and a key decision-maker in world cricket.”

Her remarks suggested that if the inclusion of Bangladeshi players was truly unacceptable, the issue lay with cricketing governance rather than with individual franchise owners.

Muslim bodies and clerics condemn remarks

Several Muslim leaders and organisations also weighed in, condemning the attacks on Shah Rukh Khan and calling for action against those who made inflammatory remarks. All India Imam Association president Maulana Sajid Rashidi said there were no borders in sports or cinema and urged the government to take action against Devkinandan Thakur for his comments.

“Shah Rukh Khan bought a player, and there are no borders in sports and films,” Rashidi said. He pointed out that Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan are among the actors who engage in the most charitable work in India. “The government must take action against Devkinandan Thakur,” he said, according to ANI.

National president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, also rejected the charge of betrayal against Shah Rukh Khan. He said Indian Muslims were equally concerned about attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and stood in solidarity with victims there.

“Devkinandan Thakur and Sangeet Som should understand that Indian Muslims are also concerned about the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and raise their voices for their protection and safety,” Barelvi said. “In such a situation, if Shah Rukh Khan makes an agreement with a cricketer from Bangladesh, it is not an act of betrayal. This cannot be justified under any circumstances.”

Sports, politics, and nationalism collide

The controversy has reignited a long-standing debate in India over the intersection of sports and politics. While the IPL has historically featured players from across the globe, including from countries with which India has complex diplomatic relations, the current row reflects how geopolitical tensions can spill over into sporting arenas.

Cricketing experts have pointed out that Mustafizur Rahman is a professional athlete who has played in leagues worldwide, including previous stints in the IPL. They argue that franchise decisions are based on performance, strategy, and team balance rather than political considerations.

As the political sparring continues, neither Shah Rukh Khan nor the Kolkata Knight Riders management has issued a formal response to the controversy. The BCCI has also not commented on calls to bar Bangladeshi players from the league.

For now, the issue remains a flashpoint in the broader political discourse, illustrating how a cricket auction decision has escalated into a debate on nationalism, freedom of expression, and the role of sport in a deeply polarised environment. Whether the controversy will have any practical impact on KKR’s squad or the IPL’s policies remains to be seen, but it has already underscored how closely cricket, identity, and politics are intertwined in India.