BJP leader calls Shah Rukh Khan ‘traitor’ for signing Bangladeshi cricketer in IPL

In a sharp and divisive attack, Uttar Pradesh BJP leader and former Sardhana MLA Sangeet Singh Som labeled Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan a “gaddar” (traitor) for acquiring Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Som’s fiery remarks extended to claiming that the superstar has “no right to live in India,” igniting widespread controversy over nationalism and the role of sports in diplomacy.

Speaking at a public event in Meerut, Som condemned Khan for spending ₹9 crore on Rahman despite ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. “While Hindus are being massacred and their homes destroyed, Shah Rukh Khan is helping them by buying their players. Such people have no right to live in this country,” Som asserted, threatening the player with harsh treatment upon arrival in India.

Amplifying his message to the media, Som painted a grim picture of Hindu suffering in Bangladesh—citing violence, destruction, and rape—and accused Khan of consistently supporting countries he described as antagonistic to India. “The people of India made Shah Rukh Khan who he is today, yet he betrays this trust by supporting those who harm Hindus,” he said. The actor has yet to respond to these accusations.

The controversy drew condemnation from multiple quarters. Congress MP Manickam Tagore strongly denounced the “gaddar” label, calling it “an attack on India’s pluralism.” Writing on X Tagore urged, “Hate cannot define nationalism. RSS must stop poisoning society.”

The debate over foreign players in the IPL, especially from countries with strained ties like Pakistan and Bangladesh, remains contentious. Pakistani players have been banned from the IPL since 2009 following the Mumbai terror attacks.

Shah Rukh Khan himself had earlier criticized this exclusion in 2010 saying that barring Pakistani players was “humiliating” and expressed hope for more inclusive participation in the league.

As IPL 2026 approaches, the discourse around sports, nationalism, and India’s plural identity has intensified — reflecting the complex intersections of politics, culture, and cricket in contemporary India.