“Whereas Hindus are being killed in Bangladesh, cricketers are being purchased within the IPL. Traitor movie actor Shah Rukh Khan purchased Bangladeshi cricketer Rahman for Rs 900 crore. Such traitors haven’t any proper to stay on this nation,” Som mentioned at a public occasion in Meerut on Wednesday.
Later, following directions from the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI), KKR launched Rahman with out enjoying a single match in IPL 2026.
The 2-time BJP MLA has a controversial background. He was one of many accused within the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and was additionally recognized for his anti-Muslim remarks.
He additionally attracted consideration within the 2024 meeting elections by supporting Rajputs in western Uttar Pradesh, which is believed to have contributed to the BJP’s defeat in key seats similar to Muzaffarnagar, Kairana and Saharanpur.
Born right into a rich Rajput household in Meerut’s Alamgir village, Sangeet Som served as MLA from Sardhana constituency from 2012 to 2022. He misplaced to Samajwadi Occasion candidate Atul Pradhan in 2022.
Somu has been awarded the next titles by a number of Hindu spiritual teams: “Hindu Friday Samrat” and “Mahatakur Sangharshvir”.
He was arrested for his alleged involvement within the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and was detained beneath the Nationwide Safety Act in September of the identical 12 months. The Justice Vishnu Sahai committee’s report names him as one of many key individuals accused of inciting the riot.
In September 2015, it accused the Samajwadi Occasion authorities of spiritual bias whereas investigating the Janmashtami clashes. Som was charged in January 2017 with violating the Mannequin Code of Conduct by exhibiting a documentary containing riot-related video clips throughout a marketing campaign marketing campaign. Nonetheless, he was later duly debriefed.
That 12 months, Som’s face was featured prominently on tv information channels when he described the Taj Mahal as a “stain on India’s tradition and historical past”, after the Uttar Pradesh authorities eliminated the monument from vacationer brochures.
The BJP chief mentioned the monument was constructed by a ruler who imprisoned his father, sarcastically complicated Mughal emperor Shah Jahan with Aurangzeb.
Muzaffarnagar was within the information once more in November 2018 when Somu demanded that or not it’s renamed Laxminagar. His justification on the time was that the present title was given to him by the Nawab, Muzaffar Ali.
“The Mughals eradicated Indian tradition throughout their rule. Hindutva was their essential goal. Bharatiya Janata Occasion is making an attempt to avoid wasting our tradition,” he mentioned.
Mr Som, a vocal activist within the anti-beef motion, was left red-faced after a report in 2015. hinduism He mentioned he co-founded Al Dua, a halal meat export firm, between 2005 and 2006 and was concerned with the corporate as a director till round 2008.
It is not simply Hindutva pet themes like; masjid (mosques), Muslims, beef and different controversial elements of the BJP management. A living proof is his protection of the Indian-made coronavirus vaccine in 2021. “Those that don’t belief India’s vaccines ought to go to different international locations. Such folks don’t need to be right here,” he mentioned.
In June 2025, throughout an occasion in Muzaffarnagar organized by the United Hindu Entrance, Somu focused Samajwadi Occasion chief Akhilesh Yadav, describing him as a descendant of Mughal rulers. He additionally commented on the burqa worn by Muslim ladies, claiming that terrorism and fraud are carried out within the nation beneath the duvet of the burqa.
Som twice referred to as on the electoral fee to curb what he referred to as fraudulent voting carried out beneath the usage of burqas, in 2019 and 2025. He mentioned ladies ought to solely be allowed to vote if their faces will be clearly seen.
Som additionally got here into the highlight when his relationship with former Muzaffarnagar MP Sanjeev Balian soured. Balyan went as far as to assert that Somu had “sabotaged” his marketing campaign for re-election in 2024 by “supporting” his opponent within the Samajwadi Occasion.
Balian, a Jat, mentioned the ambiance in western UP was spoiled by panchayats run by Rajput communities and the Somu promoted these panchayats.
This theme was performed once more final August. Balian misplaced to his BJP colleague Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Within the election to the submit of Secretary (Administrative) of the Delhi Structure Membership. Som then brazenly admitted that he had campaigned extensively in Rudy’s favor.
“The get together is conscious of Mr. Somu’s statements and previous controversies, however in some sections of the get together he’s seen as a strongman in western UP,” a senior BJP chief in Uttar Pradesh informed ThePrint.
“He has by no means spoken towards the central or state management. He has a neighborhood group centered on radicalizing the Hindutva agenda. So, a pacesetter like him is usually thought of an asset, even when he’s typically within the information for unfavorable causes,” the Bharatiya Janata Occasion official added.
(Edited by Tony Lai)
