‘Shah Rukh Khan a traitor’: BJP leader slams KKR owner over Bangladeshi player signing

Former BJP MLA Sangeet Som termed Khan a “traitor” after KKR bought Rahman for Rs 9.2 crore ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

Addressing a public rally, Som said, “The people of this country have helped you reach this position. If you earn money, it comes from the people of this country. But you have betrayed the nation. We have no place for such traitors.”

Som further warned that Bangladeshi cricketers would not be allowed to step out of airports if they tour India.

The remarks drew further attention after spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur also appealed to the KKR management to exclude Rahman from the team.

Reacting to Som’s statement, the Congress accused the BJP leader of targeting Shah Rukh Khan because of his religion. “They are attacking Shah Rukh Khan just because he is a Muslim,” Congress leader Surender Rajput told NDTV.

The controversy comes amid growing concern over violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. In recent weeks and months, several incidents of mob lynching, shootings and arson attacks on Hindu homes have been reported, triggering protests and international concern.

In December 2025, Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu garment worker, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh following unverified blasphemy allegations. He was beaten, hanged from a tree and his body set on fire.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the violence in Bangladesh, describing it as hostile acts targeting minority communities.