Sanjay Nirupam Urges Shahrukh Khan to Remove Bangladeshi Cricketer from KKR

Sanjay Nirupam, a prominent Shiv Sena leader, has called on Shahrukh Khan to remove Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders. This request follows recent violent incidents against religious minorities in Bangladesh, raising concerns about the implications of having Bangladeshi players in the IPL. Nirupam argues that such a move would safeguard India's interests and prevent potential backlash. Additionally, Shiv Sena spokesperson Anand Dubey supports this stance, emphasizing that Bangladeshi players should not be allowed to compete in India. The situation highlights the growing tensions surrounding international players in the IPL.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 2, 2026, 13:00 IST

Call for Action Against Bangladeshi Player

Sanjay Nirupam, a leader of the Shiv Sena party, has made a request to Shahrukh Khan, the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), to remove Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the team. During the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, the Kolkata-based franchise acquired the Bangladeshi fast bowler for a substantial sum of ₹9.20 crores for the 2026 season. This request comes in light of recent incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, prompting many to argue against Mustafizur's participation in the IPL.

Nirupam emphasized that removing the Bangladeshi player would protect India's interests. He stated that as the nation expresses anger towards Bangladesh, any individual with ties to Bangladesh could become a target of that outrage. He urged Khan to take action before Mustafizur becomes a significant target, suggesting that it would be in the best interest of both Khan and the country.

Concerns Raised by Shiv Sena Spokesperson

In a recent conversation with a news agency, Anand Dubey, a spokesperson for Shiv Sena (UBT), echoed similar sentiments, asserting that Bangladeshi players should not be allowed to play on Indian soil in the IPL. He further stated that if Shahrukh Khan does not remove Mustafizur, it would indicate a lack of understanding of the sentiments of the Indian populace. Dubey insisted that Bangladeshi and Pakistani players should be banned from participating, citing the violence against Hindu communities as a reason for their exclusion. He urged Khan to act swiftly in removing the Bangladeshi cricketer, warning that failure to do so would demonstrate a disconnect from the feelings of the nation.