Why is Devkinandan Thakur Thankful to BCCI Over the Bangladeshi Player's Exclusion from KKR?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Devkinandan Thakur has welcomed the BCCI's decision regarding Bangladeshi players.
- The exclusion of players based on national sentiments raises critical questions.
- KKR's response is under scrutiny from various community members.
- Separating politics and sports remains a debated topic.
- The IPL continues to be a focal point for national sentiment discussions.
Bengaluru, Jan 3 (NationPress) Devkinandan Thakur, a respected spiritual leader and celebrated 'Kathavachak', expressed his gratitude following the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) ruling to exclude a Bangladeshi player from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Thakur's earlier challenge regarding the inclusion of the Bangladeshi player in the Shah Rukh Khan-owned team sparked significant controversy and ultimately resulted in the player's removal.
He commended the BCCI for their decision, which mandated that KKR not include the Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman in their IPL roster. Thakur expressed his appreciation, stating, “We had appealed that Bangladeshi cricketers should not be allowed to play in the IPL. Today, the BCCI has issued an order stating that no Bangladeshi cricketer will participate in the IPL. We are very grateful to the BCCI for this decision, but KKR didn't understand the feelings and the pain of Hindus.”
He further criticized both the actor and his KKR team, suggesting their lack of response was detrimental to Hindu sentiments.
Thakur remarked, “Despite the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh, KKR kept a Bangladeshi cricketer and did not even bother to issue an official statement. We all Hindus as well as members of the Sanatan Nyasa foundation are sad and hurt by this behaviour.”
“We are going to remember that you did not stand with us during our pain and sorrow,” he added.
Earlier on Saturday, KKR announced the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the 2026 edition, following BCCI's directives.
Meanwhile, Masood Uz Zafar Amini, coach of cricketer Rinku Singh, emphasized that sports should remain separate from politics, as the amalgamation of the two could negatively impact the game.
Amini stated to IANS, “Mustafizur Rahman is a cricketer first -- Hindu or Muslim comes later. Other teams in the IPL had also bid for Mustafizur before KKR acquired him. There should be no politics with players. There should be a distinction between the game and politics; players are different from religion, and such incidents keep taking place.”
“But since it's a decision of the nation and the BCCI has taken it, we have to abide by it,” he concluded.