Spiritual guru Devkinandan Thakur has stirred a political debate by criticizing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for acquiring Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman for the upcoming IPL season. Thakur’s comments have sparked varied reactions from political figures, emphasizing the separation of sports from political and diplomatic matters.
Thakur, in an interview, accused KKR and Shah Rukh Khan of overlooking the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. He expressed disappointment on behalf of Hindus and Sanatan Dharma followers, who feel hurt by including a Bangladeshi player in an Indian team amidst reports of atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.
The guru argued that the funds used to purchase a Bangladeshi player should be directed towards India’s development or as compensation for families affected by the violence in Bangladesh. Responding to the situation, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Trumboo condemned human rights violations but cautioned against intertwining sports with politics.
Congress leader Tariq Anwar emphasized the importance of keeping sports unaffected by political or diplomatic tensions. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Karnail Singh supported Thakur’s stance, raising concerns about the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh and questioning the motive behind supporting Bangladeshi players.
Religious leaders in Ujjain issued a warning to disrupt IPL matches by damaging pitches if Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman participates, reflecting the growing anger over violent incidents against Hindus in Bangladesh. Kolkata Knight Riders have secured Mustafizur Rahman for this IPL season at Rs 9.2 crore.
