Religious leaders in Ujjain have issued a warning to disrupt Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches if Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman is allowed to play. The threat follows recent violent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, leading to growing anger. Seers are adamant about preventing matches with the Bangladeshi player, accusing authorities of neglecting Hindu persecution in Bangladesh.
The controversy escalated when Kolkata Knight Riders acquired Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore in the recent IPL auction. Social media campaigns have urged boycotting KKR, labeling it an insult to Hindus amid reports of minority violence. The incidents in Bangladesh, including brutal lynching cases over blasphemy allegations, have fueled public outrage.
In one incident on December 18, a Hindu garment factory worker was lynched in Bhaluka Upazila, Mymensingh district, over alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. Investigations found no direct evidence of blasphemy, with arrests made by the Rapid Action Battalion. The interim government condemned the act as isolated, amidst broader unrest following a youth leader’s death.
On December 24, another Hindu man was lynched in Rajbari’s Pangsha sub-district over extortion allegations. Despite police intervention, the victim succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Spiritual leaders have condemned the attacks as unfortunate, warning of potential threats to Hindus in Bangladesh without government intervention. Calls for protecting minorities abroad and strained India-Bangladesh relations have emerged.
