A political firestorm has erupted after a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader launched a vicious verbal attack on Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, labeling him a 'gaddar' (traitor). The controversy stems from Khan's Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), acquiring Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for the upcoming season.
Public Condemnation and Dire Threats
The inflammatory remarks were made by Uttar Pradesh BJP leader and former Sardhana MLA, Sangeet Singh Som, during a public event in Meerut. Som connected the cricketing decision to the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh, making a series of highly charged allegations. "On one hand, Hindus are being killed in Bangladesh, and on the other hand, cricketers are being bought in the IPL auction," Som stated. He highlighted that KKR, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, actor Juhi Chawla, and her husband Jay Mehta, secured Rahman for Rs 9 crore.
Som escalated his rhetoric by questioning Khan's right to reside in India. "They have no right to live in this country," he declared. He also issued a direct threat to the Bangladeshi cricketer, warning that Mustafizur Rahman would face dire consequences and "wouldn't be allowed to even step out of the airport" if he came to India to play.
Congress MP Defends SRK, Cites Pluralism Under Attack
The 'traitor' slur against Shah Rukh Khan did not go unchallenged. Congress Member of Parliament Manickam Tagore strongly condemned the remarks, framing them as an assault on the nation's core values. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Tagore wrote, "Calling Superstar Shah Rukh Khan a 'traitor' is an attack on India's pluralism. Hate cannot define nationalism. RSS must stop poisoning society."
This defense from a political opponent sets the stage for a broader debate on nationalism, sports, and inclusivity. While Som's comments found some support from certain religious and political figures, Tagore's response underscores a significant political divide in interpreting such actions.
Historical Context and SRK's Past Stance on Player Inclusion
This incident revisits a long-standing debate in Indian cricket about including players from nations with which India has diplomatic tensions. Notably, Pakistani players have been barred from the IPL since 2009 following the Mumbai terror attacks.
Interestingly, Shah Rukh Khan has previously expressed his views on this politicization of sports. Back in 2010, he voiced his discomfort with the exclusion of Pakistani players from the IPL auction. Speaking to NDTV, Khan had said, "I think it's actually humiliating to me as a KKR owner that this has happened... We should have. And if there were any issues, they should have been put out earlier so that everything could happen respectfully."
He further elaborated on the precarious position of franchise owners, caught between sporting merit and external political pressures. The current controversy proves that this complex intersection of sports, nationality, and politics remains as volatile as ever, now extending to players from neighboring Bangladesh.
