Amid the controversy surrounding Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) decision to sign a Bangladeshi player in the IPL auction, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said cricket should not be held responsible for attacks on minorities in the neighboring country, ANI reported.
Responding to criticism of KKR’s selection of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, Tharoor told reporters: “Cricket should not bear the burden of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. We should try to isolate some areas from others. We appeal to Bangladesh and urge them to do the right thing to protect and care for their minorities.”
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“Mustafizur Rahman is a cricketer and has nothing to do with any of these things. He has not been personally accused of any hate speech or endorsing or advocating any attacks. To mix the two is simply not fair,” he added.
He also warned against the isolation of neighboring countries.
“If we become a country that isolates all our neighbors and say no one is playing with any of them, how will it help? It’s purely a sporting decision and we shouldn’t let politics in. We surround Bangladesh on three sides. We can’t isolate them. We have to play with them,” Tharoor said.
Congress president and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge had earlier slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its criticism of the IPL franchise, saying that overseas players are participating in the tournament as per BCCI and IPL rules.
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In a post on X, Kharge said, “BJP and their ‘Vichar Parivaar’ are outraged by the inclusion of a Bangladeshi player in IPL. If an overseas player is in IPL, it is because BCCI or IPL rules allow him to do so. Instead of blaming the franchise, BJP leaders should not ask why they should ban players from IPL.”
He further criticized the BJP leader by citing past cases.
“Same BJP leaders have no problem when India played Pakistan soon after Pahalgam attack. IPL shifted matches to Islamic countries during COVID. IPL auctions are held in Islamic countries. Instead of questioning franchisees, BJP stooges should ask tough questions to Home Minister why he allows ICC and BCCI to operate like this,” Kharges’ added.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a strong statement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction led by signings Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman. Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra and returning players Tim Seifert and Rahul Tripathi also added depth.
Attacks on minorities in Bangladesh
On December 18, a 25-year-old Hindu man, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob and his body set on fire for alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city. A week later, on December 24, another Hindu man, identified as Amrit Mondal, was lynched for alleged extortion in an upazila in Rajbari town.
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Cricket should not bear the brunt of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
On Wednesday evening, a Hindu businessman, Khokon Chandra Das, 50, was brutally attacked, hacked and set on fire near Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya, Shariatpur district, Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported, citing police.
Key things
- The intersection of sports and politics can lead to divisive rhetoric.
- Inclusivity in sport is essential to promote international relations.
- Political leaders should focus on systemic issues rather than individual athletes.
