New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor weighed in on the growing controversy surrounding Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) decision to pick Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman during the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, emphasizing that cricket should remain separate from political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
The IPL franchise, co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, secured Rahman for ₹9.20 crore, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history. However, the decision quickly drew nationalist criticism amid strained India–Bangladesh relations, following the death of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man in Mymensingh last month, and reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh.
Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said the controversy reflects a problematic trend of mixing sports with geopolitical or communal issues. “Cricket should not be made to bear the burden of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh,” he said. He stressed that Mustafizur Rahman is a professional cricketer with no involvement in political or religious issues.
Tharoor Advocates Separation of Sports and Politics
“We should try to insulate some areas from others. We are reaching out to Bangladesh and urging them to do the right thing to protect and look after their minorities, and this messaging must continue,” Tharoor said. He noted that Rahman has not been personally accused of any hate speech or condoning violence, and it is unfair to link a player’s selection in a sporting tournament to unrelated political events.
Tharoor also warned against isolationist tendencies in regional relations, arguing that India cannot afford to completely sever ties with its neighbours. “If we become a country that isolates all of our neighbours and say nobody is playing with any of them, how does that do any good? It is purely a sporting decision, and we should not let politics come into this. We surround Bangladesh on three sides. We cannot isolate them. We have to play with them,” he added.
By highlighting the need to keep politics out of sport, Tharoor sought to defuse the nationalist backlash and defend both the player and the IPL franchise from politically charged criticism.
Political Row Intensifies: BJP vs Congress
The controversy has sparked a political clash between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress, with accusations flying over Shah Rukh Khan’s motivations and religious identity.
BJP leader Sangeet Som condemned Khan, calling him a “gaddar” (traitor) and alleging that he had invested in players “from a country working against India.” He accused Khan of misusing the wealth and opportunities India provided him. “Despite all this, traitors like Shah Rukh Khan… invest 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, as quoted by ANI.
In response, Congress leaders highlighted double standards in the BJP’s approach to sporting relations with neighbouring countries. Congress leader Bhai Jagtap said, “Shah Rukh Khan is being targeted because he is Muslim; we still play cricket with Pakistani cricketers after Operation Sindoor. This is the BJP-RSS’ double-faced policy.”
The debate reflects broader tensions in India’s approach to sporting engagement with neighbouring countries, particularly in contexts where diplomatic and religious sensitivities intersect with public perception.
Mustafizur Rahman: Professionalism Amid Controversy
Amid the political rhetoric, Mustafizur Rahman remains focused on his professional role as a cricketer. The Bangladesh pacer, known for his pace and variations, has previously made significant contributions in international cricket and the IPL. By paying ₹9.20 crore, KKR signalled their intention to strengthen their squad on merit, independent of external controversies.
Tharoor’s remarks reinforce this perspective, asserting that sportsmanship and professionalism must prevail over political or communal narratives. His comments also underscore the importance of insulating athletes from geopolitical disputes, allowing cricket and other sports to function as neutral platforms for talent and competition.
The Broader Context: India–Bangladesh Relations
The backlash against KKR’s selection occurs amid heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh, particularly following incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. While public sentiment in India has been critical, experts caution against allowing political disputes or communal sensitivities to dictate sporting decisions.
By advocating engagement rather than isolation, Tharoor aligns with a long-standing principle that sports can act as a bridge between nations, even during times of diplomatic strain. He emphasized that dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect should guide interactions, rather than reactionary nationalism.
Conclusion
The debate over KKR’s selection of Mustafizur Rahman demonstrates how sports, politics, and communal narratives can collide in India’s public discourse. While nationalist voices have criticized the franchise and its co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, leaders like Shashi Tharoor have called for a clear distinction between sports and political events, defending the player’s right to participate purely on merit.
As the IPL season approaches, the controversy highlights ongoing challenges in balancing professional sport, national sentiment, and geopolitical sensitivities. Tharoor’s intervention underscores the principle that cricket—and sport more broadly—should remain a field of skill, talent, and fair play, rather than a battleground for political or communal conflicts.
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