During his speech, Sangeet Som expressed that players like Rahman should not be permitted to play in India. He asserted, “Hum daave ke saath keh rahe hain ki aise khiladiyon ko yahan khelne nahi diya jaayega. Shah Rukh Khan jaise gaddaron ko yeh samajh lena chahiye ki aap jis tarah desh ke saath gaddari kar rahe hain, agar aap aaj is mukaam par pahunche hain toh is desh ke logon ki wajah se pahunche hain. (We assert with certainty that such players will not be allowed to play here. Traitors like Shah Rukh Khan should realize that if you’ve reached your current position, it’s because of the people of this country.)”
Som went on to allege that the wealth amassed by Shah Rukh Khan originates from the citizens of the nation but is employed in ways that he views as treasonous. He remarked, “Kabhi Pakistan ko chanda dene ki baat karte hain, kabhi Rahman jaise khiladi kharidne ki baat karte hain. Yeh ab is desh mein nahi chalega. Aise gaddaron ke liye desh mein ab koi jagah nahi rahegi. (Sometimes there’s talk of donating to Pakistan, at other times about acquiring players like Rahman. This will no longer be accepted in this country. There will be no space for such traitors in the nation.)”
Previously, spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur also expressed disapproval over KKR’s acquisition of Mustafizur Rahman for the IPL 2026 season. While addressing his followers, Thakur stated, “Agar KKR ne us khiladi ko wapas nahi kiya, uski cancellation nahi ki, toh ‘khela hobe’, bahut bada khela hobe. Samay hai sambhal jao, samay hai sudhar jao, warna samay ulti disha mein behne lagega. (If KKR does not return that player and cancel the decision, there will be ‘khela hobe’, a very significant game will take place. This is the time to be cautious and make corrections, or else time will start moving in the opposite direction.)”
This controversy arises in the wake of reports detailing recent violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Alleged incidents include public lynchings and arson, alongside the vandalization of several temples.
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