Shah Rukh Khan Sparks Controversy After KKR Signs Bangladeshi Cricketer Mustafizur Rahman For IPL 2026

Actor Shah Rukh Khan faces political and religious criticism in Maharashtra after Kolkata Knight Riders bought Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for ₹9.20 crore at the December auction for the 2026 IPL season, with opponents linking the decision to recent reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, included Mustafizur Rahman in the squad for the 2026 season following the high-value bid, which some groups argue ignores alleged atrocities against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and the anti-India stand attributed to certain organisations there.

Political reaction to Shah Rukh Khan controversy

The Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised the choice of a Bangladeshi player, referring to Bangladeshis as "enemies" and arguing that keeping Mustafizur Rahman shows Shah Rukh Khan does not respect national sentiment, while also claiming Pakistan and Bangladesh share the same DNA and alleging both countries are terrorising India.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam targeted Shah Rukh Khan directly, saying, "For the last few months, the atrocities have hurt the sentiment of India. The Indian government needs to intervene in this. Shah Rukh Khan doesn't want to get targeted, then he should remove [the player from the team]."

Detail	Information
Player bought	Mustafizur Rahman
Franchise	Kolkata Knight Riders
Co-owner	Shah Rukh Khan
Season	IPL 2026
Auction month	December
Bid amount	₹9.20 crore

Religious leaders escalate Shah Rukh Khan controversy

Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya labelled Shah Rukh Khan a "traitor" for hiring Mustafizur Rahman, while another spiritual leader, Devkinandan Thakur, demanded the cricketer’s contract be cancelled and the ₹9.2 crore fee be redirected to families of Hindu children who were murdered in Bangladesh.

These religious voices argue that selecting a Bangladeshi player during a period of reported targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh sends a wrong signal, and they insist Shah Rukh Khan should instead support players from India to reflect the mood of distressed communities.

Official response and wider Shah Rukh Khan controversy debate

Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan urged authorities and public figures to prioritise the safety and confidence of minority groups, stating, "The nation can never succeed unless the minorities don't feel safe. I appeal to him [Shah Rukh Khan] to ban those players so that a message can be sent".

The dispute now extends beyond cricket selections, with political leaders, religious figures and officials using Shah Rukh Khan’s decision on Mustafizur Rahman to debate treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, India’s diplomatic stance, and how high-profile personalities respond to public anger over reports of violence against Hindus.