Shah Rukh Khan faces backlash for signing Bangladeshi cricketer for KKR

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has found himself at the centre of a political controversy following his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) decision to sign Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman.

Leaders from the BJP and the Shiv Sena said they opposed the inclusion of Rahman in the IPL, citing reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

BJP leader Sangeet Som alleged that signing players from Bangladesh amounted to “betrayal”, while Shiv Sena leader Krishna Hegde urged the IPL Governing Council and the BCCI to bar players from countries where atrocities against Hindus were allegedly taking place.

Spiritual leader Rambhadracharya also criticised Khan, while Mathura-based religious speaker Devkinandan Thakur suggested that KKR should drop the player and donate the auction amount to the families of Hindu victims.

Congress leader Bhai Jagtap, however, defended Khan, saying he was being targeted because of his religious identity.

Jagtap accused the BJP and the RSS of “double standards”, pointing out that India continues to play cricket with Pakistan and has given shelter to Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

“Shah Rukh Khan does not personally select players. There is a formal process involving the franchise partners and the cricketing authorities,” Jagtap said.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the issue was being unnecessarily politicised, while Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi questioned the logic of blaming an individual actor for geopolitical developments.

The controversy comes amid reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

In recent incidents, several Hindu men were killed in mob attacks in different parts of the country, according to media reports.

KKR has not issued a statement on the matter so far.