A heated political row has erupted following Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to sign Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League, sparking opposition from sections of the Bharatiya Janata Party and religious groups. The controversy centers on heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh and concerns over incidents of violence in the neighboring country.
Kaustav Bagchi, a BJP leader, issued a public warning against the involvement of Bangladeshi players in the IPL matches to be held in Kolkata. Quoting Bagchi, he said, “If any Bangladeshi cricketer is part of an IPL team and wants to play a match in Kolkata – we will not allow him. We will not even allow Shahrukh Khan to enter Kolkata. Bangladeshi cricketers like Mustafizur Rahman will earn millions of money and other Bangladeshis will kill these guns and our Hindu brothers will shoot.” simultaneously.”
This statement comes as a result Kolkata Knight Riders buy Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore during the December IPL auction. The move was met with considerable opposition from political and religious parties who cited Bangladesh’s current diplomatic stance and reports of violence against Hindu minorities as cause for concern.
Hindu religious preachers and some BJP leaders stepped up their criticism, called Khan a “traitor” for his association with the franchise and its decision to sign the Bangladeshi player. The situation led to a mixed reaction, with Congress party leaders expressing support for Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of KKR.
The matter also saw reactions from Muslim religious and political figures, contributing to a wider debate about the role and influence of regional politics in sport. The controversy highlighted deep-seated concerns about cross-border relationships and the presence of foreign athletes in India’s top sports leagues.
The events focused attention on the intersection of sport, politics and identity in India and raised questions about the future participation of international players in the IPL and the response of cricket authorities to political pressures. For more on sports and politics, also read coverage of the recent IPL auctions and their wider implications.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
January 2, 2026
