BJP Official Berates Shah Rukh Khan for Acquiring Bangladeshi Cricketer

A leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh has vocally condemned actor Shah Rukh Khan following the purchase of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman by his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, for Rs 9.2 crore.

Sangeet Som, a previous member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, labeled Khan a "traitor" for signing the Bangladeshi cricketer during a period marked by escalating violence against Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh.

At a public gathering in Meerut, Som stated, "While Hindus are being slaughtered in Bangladesh, actors like Shah Rukh Khan are busy purchasing cricketers. The traitorous actor has bought Mustafizur Rahman. People like him shouldn't have a place in this nation."

He added, "Indians are the ones who supported your success. If you're earning, it's from this country, yet you've turned your back on it."

Som also cautioned that players like Rahman might encounter significant challenges in India, asserting they "will find it hard to leave the airport" when arriving for the IPL, set to commence in March.

Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur echoed these sentiments, urging the KKR management to refrain from including the Bangladeshi player in their lineup.

"Those who have supported Shah Rukh Khan in becoming a star as Sanatani devotees and Hindus see his indifference to the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, yet he has added Bangladeshi players to his team," Thakur remarked.

The controversy attracted reactions from opposition figures in Uttar Pradesh as well. Mata Prasad Pandey, opposition leader in the state assembly, denounced Som’s comments, directing criticism toward the BJP. Congress member Surender Rajput called the BJP a "traitor party" for allegedly targeting Shah Rukh Khan due to his Muslim identity.

Additionally, BJP ally and UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar admonished Som for making provocative statements for the sake of publicity.

This verbal clash arises amidst strained relations between India and Bangladesh, further aggravated by the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man, in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh, last month over alleged blasphemy.