Janata Dal (United) senior leader KC Tyagi has stirred debate with his remarks, suggesting India should reconsider its stance after Bangladesh appointed a Hindu cricketer, Litton Das, as captain of their team. Tyagi criticised the politicisation of sports and recent release of a Bangladeshi cricketer from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR on directions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Tyagi pointed out that while India recently removed a Bangladeshi player from the IPL, Bangladesh’s decision to entrust a minority player with leadership sends a "strong message".
KKR released Bangladeshi pacer Muztafizur Rahman after co-owner Shah Rukh Khan faced public and political backlash in the backdrop of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Rahman, who was sold to the KKR for a huge price of Rs 9.20 crore, will not be a part of the IPL 2026.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had spoken to the media ahead of the big development, confirming that the board ordered the three-time champions KKR to release the 30-year-old left-arm pacer from their squad.
"Sports have nothing to do with politics. But the situation in the Indian subcontinent, especially with Pakistan and Bangladesh, is tense. Pakistan is guilty of terrorism on the border and Indian society is angry about the incidents against Hindus in Bangladesh. This impacts the spirit of the game," KC Tyagi said.
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"The BCCI's decision may have been made with those sentiments in mind. But personally, I believe that politics should not overly influence sports. When Bangladesh has appointed a Hindu cricketer, Litton Das, as captain of its team, this should make us rethink," he further remarked.
"We are agitated by the events in Bangladesh and have removed a Bangladeshi cricketer from the IPL. But Bangladesh appointed a minority cricketer, a Hindu, as captain of the team. This is a strong message they have sent," Tyagi added.
Despite having no role in the events that led to the termination of his contract, Rahman will remain empty-handed as KKR are not legally required to pay any compensation. According to news agency PTI, the existing Indian Premier League (IPL) contract conditions do not mandate salary protection in such cases.
Hindus in Bangladesh are living in fear amid surge in violence targeting the minority community, following a series of lynchings, killings, sexual assaults, and arson attacks over the past month. One of the most horrific incidents was the lynching and public burning of 27-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment factory worker at the Pioneer Knit Composite Factory in Bhaluka, Mymensingh district. Das was accused of blasphemy, with reports claiming he allegedly said all gods were equal. On December 18, a mob beat him, stripped him, hanged him from a tree, and set his body on fire. Police later said no evidence supported the blasphemy allegation, and several arrests were made.