Spiritual guru slams KKR, Shah Rukh Khan over Bangladeshi cricketer
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New Delhi: Spiritual guru Devkinandan Thakur has triggered a political row by criticising Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and its co-owner, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, for signing Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman for the upcoming IPL season.
Thakur’s remarks have evoked sharp and mixed reactions from leaders across political parties, with several underlining that sports should remain separate from political and diplomatic considerations.
Speaking to IANS on Wednesday, Devkinandan Thakur accused KKR and Shah Rukh Khan of overlooking the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. He claimed that Hindus and followers of Sanatan Dharma, who he said played a major role in making the actor a star, were deeply hurt by the decision to include a Bangladeshi player in an Indian team despite reports of atrocities against Hindus in the neighbouring country.
“Devotees of Sanatan and Hindus see that, without considering that Hindus in Bangladesh are being killed, burnt alive and girls are being assaulted, a Bangladeshi player is being included in an Indian team,” Thakur said.
He further argued that the money spent on buying a Bangladeshi player should instead be utilised for India’s development or provided as compensation to the families of those allegedly killed in Bangladesh.
Responding to the controversy, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Trumboo said that human rights violations must be condemned wherever they occur, but cautioned against dragging sports into political debates.
“Wherever minorities are oppressed, in any country, we condemn it. Whether it is Hindus facing atrocities in Bangladesh or minorities facing oppression elsewhere, such acts should not happen and must be strongly denounced,” Trumboo said.
“At the same time, if sports and politics remain separate, things will continue smoothly. The real need is that minorities should be protected and treated justly in every country,” he added.
Congress leader Tariq Anwar also played down the issue, stressing that sports should not be influenced by political or diplomatic tensions.
“I don’t know the background of this issue, but sports should be kept separate. Similar discussions have come up earlier as well, including during tours abroad. Whether a player is from another country or someone is a film star, there should be no issue in such matters,” Anwar said.
In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) echoed Thakur’s stance. BJP MLA Karnail Singh said concerns over the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh were justified and questioned the rationale behind supporting Bangladeshi players.
“If they are so concerned about Bangladeshi players, then they should go to Bangladesh themselves,” he remarked.
Amid the growing controversy, religious leaders in Ujjain have reportedly issued a warning to disrupt IPL matches by damaging pitches if Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman is allowed to participate.
The threat follows rising anger over recent violent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, including two brutal lynching incidents linked to allegations of blasphemy.
KKR has roped in Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for this year’s IPL at a price of Rs 9.2 crore.
With IANS inputs
