Politics enters IPL? Tharoor steps in as Shah Rukh Khan faces heat over Mustafizur Rahman

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said sport should not be conflated with political or communal tensions.

“Cricket should not be made to bear the burden for attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. We should try to insulate some areas from others,” he said, adding that India must continue urging Bangladesh to protect its minorities.

Tharoor stressed that Mustafizur Rahman should not be targeted for events beyond his control.

“He is a cricketer and has nothing to do with any of these things. He has not been accused of hate speech or of condoning violence. Mixing the two is simply not fair,” he said.

The Congress MP also cautioned against isolating neighbouring countries.

“If we become a country that isolates all our neighbours, how does that help? This is purely a sporting decision and politics should not enter into it,” Tharoor added, noting India’s geographical and diplomatic ties with Bangladesh.

The controversy erupted after former BJP MLA Sangeet Som described Shah Rukh Khan as a “traitor” at a public rally, alleging the actor had betrayed the country by purchasing a Bangladeshi player. Som also claimed Bangladeshi cricketers would face resistance if they toured India.

The issue gained further traction after spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur urged the KKR management to reconsider Mustafizur Rahman’s inclusion in the squad.

The backlash intensified following provocative remarks by Meera Rathore, district president of the All India Hindu Mahasabha in Agra, who staged a protest by defacing Shah Rukh Khan’s poster.

Rathore made inflammatory statements during the protest, which have drawn widespread criticism.

Mustafizur Rahman was purchased by KKR for Rs 9.2 crore at the mini auction held in December 2025.