The chairman of the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission has made a direct appeal to Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, urging him to refrain from including Bangladeshi cricketers in his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise. This call comes amidst a backdrop of heightened concern over the treatment of minority communities in Bangladesh.
Appeal for a Ban on Bangladeshi Cricketers
On Thursday, commission chairman Pyare Khan issued a strong statement, asking Shah Rukh Khan to impose a complete ban on players from Bangladesh in the IPL. He argued that such inclusions are not in the national interest. "I appeal to Shah Rukh Khan that Bangladeshi players must be completely banned from our IPL. This is absolutely not in national interest, it's completely wrong," Khan stated.
He linked his demand to the situation of minorities in the neighbouring country. "A country where minorities are not safe can never progress. The minority community there, our Hindu brethren, are also our responsibility," he emphasized. Khan further revealed his plan to write to Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, urging him to press for the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.
Triggered by KKR's 2026 Auction Pick
The remarks from the state minorities panel chief follow the recent controversy surrounding KKR's acquisition in the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi. The franchise purchased Bangladeshi left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman for a significant sum of 9.2 crore rupees. Mustafizur stands as the sole Bangladeshi player bought for the upcoming season, a move that has ignited a political and diplomatic debate.
Pyare Khan's intervention adds a new dimension to this ongoing discussion, framing it within the context of human rights and cross-border communal solidarity.
Reference to the Amravati Conversion Case
During his address, Pyare Khan also touched upon the sensitive Amravati case from Maharashtra. In this instance, a Christian priest from Kerala and seven other individuals, including four women, were arrested on Wednesday over allegations of carrying out forcible religious conversions.
Adopting a stance of impartiality, Khan mentioned that members of the Christian community had approached him regarding the matter. "Many Christians came to me and I also spoke to police there, and I told them the same thing. We will support whoever is right. If churches are attacked we will stand with them," he asserted, highlighting the commission's role in safeguarding all minority groups.
The appeal to one of India's most prominent film stars and sports franchise owners underscores how issues of international relations and minority rights are increasingly influencing the world of sports and entertainment, creating complex intersections between diplomacy, politics, and popular culture.
