Bangladeshi Pacer Mustafizur Rahman Excluded from IPL, Role of SRK Condemned by HJS.

Violence and Sports Cannot Go Together; No Pardon for Shah Rukh Khan — Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | Jan 3, 2026::  The inclusion of Bangladeshi cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has triggered a sharp backlash across sections of Indian society, particularly amid growing outrage over repeated attacks on Hindus and reports of killings in Bangladesh. The controversy has intensified after the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), a prominent Hindutva organisation, issued a strong press statement condemning what it described as India’s “normalisation of relations through sports” with a country witnessing severe communal violence.

Drawing a parallel with India’s long-standing policy towards Pakistan, the Samiti asserted that the principle articulated earlier by the Government of India—“blood and water cannot flow together”—must now be applied to Bangladesh as well. According to the organisation, allowing Bangladeshi players to participate in tournaments hosted on Indian soil while atrocities against Hindus continue across the border is “deeply insensitive and unacceptable.”  HJS clearly stated: “Violence and Sports Cannot Go Together; No Pardon for Shah Rukh Khan”.

Finally,  Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday released Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Demand for a Firm National Stand

In its statement, the Samiti criticised IPL team owners for failing to take a principled stand aligned with what it termed the “national sentiment.” It pointed out that Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was excluded only after intervention by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), rather than through a voluntary decision by franchise owners.

“The Government of India must send an unequivocal message to Bangladesh that violence and sports cannot go together,” the Samiti stated, adding that the participation of players from Bangladesh and Pakistan in Indian sporting events amounts to “rubbing salt into the wounds” of persecuted Hindus.

The organisation has demanded a complete ban on players from both countries from participating in sporting events held in India until the violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, comes to an end.

Representations to the Government and BCCI

The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti revealed that it has already submitted formal representations to the Prime Minister of India, the Union Home Minister, and the President of the BCCI, urging immediate policy intervention. The memorandum calls for disallowing Bangladeshi and Pakistani players from competing in India and for linking sports diplomacy strictly with human rights considerations.

Earlier, the Samiti had specifically demanded the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad. While welcoming the BCCI’s eventual decision, the organisation sharply criticised KKR’s co-owner, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, for not acting proactively.

Strong Condemnation of Shah Rukh Khan

The Samiti accused Shah Rukh Khan of prioritising commercial interests over humanitarian concerns. “By failing to take a voluntary stand, he has shown that profit matters more to him than the suffering of Hindus in Bangladesh. This is highly deplorable,” the statement said.

Further, the organisation claimed that encouraging Bangladeshi players indirectly legitimises the ongoing violence against Hindus in that country. It demanded that Shah Rukh Khan issue a public apology to the nation, stating that influential public figures bear a moral responsibility in matters of national and civilisational concern.

Broader Security and Infiltration Concerns

Beyond sports, the Samiti also highlighted long-standing security concerns related to illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. According to the organisation, unchecked migration has contributed to law and order issues, human trafficking, narcotics trade, prostitution, and organised crime in several Indian states. It reiterated its demand for the identification and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators as a matter of national security.

Wider Reactions from Public Figures and Religious Leaders

The controversy has found resonance beyond political and activist circles. Earlier, several Bollywood personalities had expressed concern over the attacks on minorities and the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh, describing them as inhumane acts driven by radical elements. Some also questioned the appropriateness of including Bangladeshi players in IPL teams under such circumstances.

Additionally, Hindu saints, seers, and Hindutva leaders from religious and cultural centres such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Lucknow, Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi have strongly condemned the violence against Bangladeshi Hindus. Many of them have criticised the interim government under the Yunus regime, accusing it of failing to protect minority communities, while also opposing the participation of Bangladeshi cricketers in Indian leagues.

An Ongoing Debate

The issue has reopened a broader national debate on the role of sports diplomacy, ethical responsibility of celebrities and corporate entities, and India’s response to human rights violations in neighbouring countries. As public pressure mounts, the government and sports authorities are likely to face increasing calls to clearly define where India draws the line between engagement and accountability.
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Inputs: Press Release of HJS.