'What Happened to Mustafizur is Despicable': Farooki

Sports Desk, Rtv News

Publish : 04 Jan 2026, 11:56 AM

Photo: Collected

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, the Cultural Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, has strongly condemned the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) decision to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, calling the move "despicable."

The comments were made in a Facebook post following KKR's announcement yesterday that they would be dropping the "Fizz" ahead of the upcoming IPL season. Mustafizur had been signed by the franchise for 92 million rupees (9.20 crore).

Allegations of Political Pressure

The controversy began after a segment of Indian social media users and political figures began criticizing the franchise, citing alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. Reports indicate that several religious leaders and politicians issued threats to IPL authorities, eventually leading the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to instruct KKR to release the player.

Farooki suggested that the decision was driven by a "politics of hate." He noted:

"What happened with Mustafizur in the IPL is despicable. Bangladeshi citizens have witnessed the politics of hate behind this and are deeply hurt. You are aware that the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already expressed concern over the persecution of minorities in India recently. Relevant authorities will surely examine whether this incident is driven by the same motives."

Concerns Over Player Safety and Broadcast Bans

The exclusion of Mustafizur has raised broader questions regarding the safety of Bangladeshi athletes in India. With the World Cup approaching, Farooki questioned whether the national team would be provided with adequate security.

Additionally, responding to public calls for a ban on IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh, Farooki clarified his jurisdiction while confirming he has escalated the matter:

Safety Concerns: "In the future, we must evaluate how safe our cricket or football teams will be there [in India]."

Broadcast Ban: "To those asking me to ban IPL broadcasts across all platforms in Bangladesh—this falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. I have officially informed the Information Adviser of your concerns."

The incident has sparked significant tension between the cricketing communities of the two nations, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.

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