New Delhi: Renowned spiritual storyteller Devkinandan Thakur has stirred a major controversy by urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to immediately drop a Bangladeshi cricketer from the IPL, citing concerns over the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.
In a strongly worded video posted on X, Thakur questioned why a Bangladeshi player was allowed in the league despite ongoing issues across the border. “We had said no Bangladeshi cricketer should come. Why give space to a Bangladeshi player in IPL? Why repeatedly ignore Hindu sentiments?” he asked.
Targeting KKR, which recently acquired the player for a whopping Rs 9.20 crore, Thakur issued a stern warning: “Mr KKR, if you truly love Hindus, remove that Bangladeshi player from your team right now.” He reminded the franchise that it was Indian fans who made them heroes, adding, “Those who can make you a hero can also reduce you to zero.”
Thakur expressed fears that money paid to the player could indirectly fuel harm against Hindus, stating the funds “might be used in ways that endanger lives.” He appealed to the BCCI to bar Bangladeshi cricketers entirely and cautioned KKR that failure to act would force a boycott.
The row has amplified existing online backlash against KKR’s signing amid strained Indo-Bangla ties. Neither BCCI nor KKR has responded to the demands yet, as the debate over sports and geopolitics intensifies ahead of the IPL season.