The decision to release Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad has triggered a political debate within India's ruling coalition, with key allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cautioning against mixing cricket with politics. The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise stated the move was made following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Coalition Partners Voice Concerns
Leaders from the Janata Dal (United) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), both crucial allies of the BJP at the centre, have publicly expressed reservations. JD(U) adviser K C Tyagi, on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, emphasized that cricket and politics should remain separate. While acknowledging the strained bilateral circumstances, Tyagi argued that cricket could have been kept out of the political sphere.
Echoing similar sentiments, TDP leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu called for efforts to mend India-Bangladesh relations rather than actions that worsen the rift. He highlighted trade and sports as potential avenues for improving ties.
Significantly, sources within the BJP and the government have also indicated that decisions negatively impacting the already delicate relationship between the two neighbouring countries could have been avoided. A senior leader stressed the need to differentiate between Pakistan and Bangladesh, suggesting that any move escalating tension was unnecessary.
Background and Escalating Tensions
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic friction. Tensions escalated over recent weeks after a Hindu man was lynched and burned to death in Bangladesh following allegations of blasphemy. Last month, India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned what it termed "unremitting hostility against minorities" in Bangladesh.
Amid allegations that religious leaders pressured KKR over the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, JD(U)'s Tyagi questioned the selective targeting. He asked why criticism was not directed at other major stakeholders of the franchise, like actress Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta. Tyagi clarified that his remarks were as a "vigilant" citizen and not in his official party capacity.
Immediate Consequences and Broader Fallout
The fallout from Mustafizur Rahman's removal has extended beyond the IPL. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has cited security concerns and refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026. It has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka. The ICC is currently mediating between the BCCI and BCB.
Further straining sporting ties, Bangladesh has also decided not to send umpires to India for the global tournament. The incident has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Jammu and Kashmir's former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who questioned how ousting a single player would improve the situation for minorities in Bangladesh or bolster bilateral relations.
Diverging Views Within the JD(U)
The JD(U) itself presented nuanced views. While Tyagi advocated for separating sports and politics, the party's national spokesperson, Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, stated the party's official stand supported the BCCI and KKR's action as a reaction to incidents against the Hindu minority. He blamed the Sheikh Hasina-led government for failing to control fundamentalist forces.
Another JD(U) leader, MLC Neeraj Kumar, placed the onus on the BCCI, suggesting it must decide whether cricketing ties can continue on neutral venues until tensions subside, even while condemning atrocities in Bangladesh.
The episode underscores the complex interplay between sports, domestic politics, and foreign policy, revealing fissures within the ruling alliance on how to navigate diplomatic challenges through the lens of cricket.
