Following the purchase of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for 9.2 crore rupees in the IPL auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is facing significant opposition.
Entertainment News: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is once again in the spotlight, but this time not for a film, but for a controversy surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL). Sharp criticism of Shah Rukh Khan began after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) purchased Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for 9.2 crore rupees in the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Shah Rukh is a co-owner of KKR, and for this reason, political parties and some religious leaders have directly targeted him. The matter has now moved beyond sports to become an issue connected to politics, diplomacy, and social sentiments.
KKR’s Purchase and the Start of the Controversy
During the IPL 2026 mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi, KKR included Bangladesh’s left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman in their team. Mustafizur is an experienced player and has taken 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches so far. He made his IPL debut in 2016 and has played for various franchises. However, this time, questions are being raised about his purchase that go beyond cricket.
Shiv Sena (UBT) has opposed this decision, warning that protests will be held if the Bangladeshi player is allowed to play in the IPL. Party spokesperson Anand Dubey said that this issue is not limited to sports, but is connected to national sentiments. He stated in a statement that if the player is removed from the team, Shah Rukh Khan will be respected, but if he is played, it will be opposed. The party has also taken a b stance regarding Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Reactions from Religious Leaders
Reactions from some prominent religious leaders have also emerged in this controversy. Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya criticized Shah Rukh Khan, even calling him a “traitor.” He alleged that such decisions hurt the feelings of the country. Meanwhile, spiritual guru Devkinandan Thakur, citing the situation of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, leveled serious allegations against KKR and Shah Rukh Khan. He said that including a player from that country in the team in such an environment shows insensitivity. Thakur also demanded that the amount given to the player be used as humanitarian aid.
Former MLA from Uttar Pradesh, Sangeet Som, also gave a statement on the issue. Addressing Shah Rukh Khan as a “traitor” during an event in Meerut, he said that such people should not have the right to live in the country. His statement further fueled the controversy.
