Some Bharatiya Janata Celebration allies, together with JD(U) and TDP leaders, Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman launched from Kolkata Knight Riders crewThe IPL franchise stated this was carried out in accordance with directions from the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI). BJP sources additionally stated the choice that soured relations may have been prevented.
The choice comes amid heightened bilateral tensions between India and Bangladesh over the previous few weeks following the lynching and burning of a Hindu man in Bangladesh on blasphemy fees. Final month, India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs condemned “unrelenting hostility towards minorities”.
Nonetheless, JD(U) advisor KC Tyagi on Tuesday stated cricket and politics shouldn’t be confused. “To begin with, cricket and politics shouldn’t be confused. I perceive that cricket relations between India and Bangladesh usually are not attainable within the given circumstances, however we may nonetheless hold cricket away from politics,” Tyagi informed The Indian Specific.
TDP chief Love Sri Krishna Devarayar additionally stated that makes an attempt needs to be made to enhance India-Bangladesh relations as an alternative of worsening them. “The connection between the 2 international locations has been superb. There’s some stress within the relationship now and we have to work on enhancing the connection. There are numerous avenues to work on, together with commerce and sports activities,” he informed The Indian Specific.
Authorities and Bharatiya Janata Celebration officers stated the choice, which might have affected already strained relations between the 2 international locations, may have been prevented. “There needs to be a distinction between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Any transfer that would escalate tensions between the neighbors may have been prevented,” the senior chief stated.
The choice to expel Mustafizur Rahman from KKR was Bangladesh refuses journey to India for 2026 T20 World Cupcited safety considerations as the explanation. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) to maneuver the venue for Bangladesh matches from India to Sri Lanka. The ICC is mediating between the BCCI and BCB and a choice is awaited. Tensions in relations additionally led to Bangladesh’s resolution to not ship referees to India for the World Cup.
Amid allegations that KKR gamers had been launched below stress from non secular leaders angered by the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, JD(U)’s Tyagi stated, “Who’re these non secular preachers who’re issuing such statements? It is like non secular bigotry. Why did not they’ve the identical braveness to criticize actress Juhi Chawla and her businessman husband Jai Mehta, who had been working collectively?” 45% are KKR shareholders?”
Tyagi stated his remarks had been from the angle of a “cautious” Indian citizen and never as a JD(U) chief. He stated he simply wished to “protest” towards the “rising vitriol on cricket grounds”.
“I perceive India’s resolution to not tackle Pakistan as a result of India has a monitor document of sending terrorists. However what has been occurring lately between India and Bangladesh is unlucky,” Tyagi stated, whereas additionally condemning the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Nonetheless, JD(U) nationwide spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad stated, “The get together’s official stand is evident. What BCCI and KKR did was a response to a collection of incidents towards minority Hindus. The Muhammad Yunus authorities has did not rein within the fundamentalist forces, resulting in the present scenario.”
JD(U) MLC and chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar stated it’s for the BCCI to resolve whether or not it desires to proceed cricketing ties with Bangladesh. “Whereas we condemn the atrocities towards native Hindus, the BCCI should think about whether or not India and Bangladesh can proceed to play cricket at impartial venues till tensions between the 2 international locations subside,” Kumar stated.
In the meantime, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah additionally questioned Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL. He requested on Tuesday whether or not sending off particular person gamers would enhance the scenario in Bangladesh or strengthen ties between India and Bangladesh.
He warned that slightly than serving to to enhance the scenario for ethnic minorities in neighboring international locations, the measures may deepen distrust.
“What’s the fault of that poor participant? I agree that relations with Pakistan are very unhealthy. What have the folks of Bangladesh carried out to us? All our relationships with the folks of Bangladesh had been good. They’re nonetheless good. Bangladesh didn’t unfold terrorism in our nation. They didn’t destroy us. We had shut ties,” Abdullah informed reporters in Jammu.
(With inputs from ENS New Delhi and PTI)
