UJJAIN, Dec. 27 – In a striking statement, several Hindu religious leaders from Ujjain warned that they would interrupt Indian Premier League (IPL) games if Bangladesh’s fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is allowed to play.
The alert comes amid escalating anger over a series of violent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, particularly two brutal lynchings linked to alleged blasphemy cases.
“We will storm the stadiums and stop any match that involves the Bangladeshi cricketer,” declared Mahavir Nath, chief priest of the Rinmukteshwar Mahadev Temple. “The authorities ignore the “persecution” of our people in Bangladesh while letting their athletes compete here.” Other spiritual groups echoed his stance.
The controversy was set off when the Kolkata Knight Riders signed Mustafizur Rahman for INR 9.20 crore, making him the sole Bangladeshi participant in the recent IPL auction. Social‑media movements urged a boycott of the KKR team, calling it a “slap on every Hindu’s face” amid growing reports of minority violence in the country.
Incidents that sparked the outrage began on Dec. 18 in Bhaluka Upazila, Mymensingh district. Hindu garment‑factory worker Dipu Chandra Das, 27, was accused by Muslim co‑workers of making insulting remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a World Arabic Language Day event. He was dragged from the Pioneer Knit Composite Factory, beaten, strangled from a tree and left to burn near a highway. Investigations found no concrete evidence of blasphemy, yet the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested several people. The interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus denounced the act but called it an isolated incident amid broader unrest following the death of a prominent youth leader.
On Dec. 24, another Hindu man, 29‑year‑old Amrit Mondal (also known as Samrat or Amit Mondal), was lynched in Rajbari’s Pangsha sub‑district over a complaint of extortion. Villagers attacked him, and although the police rescued him while still in critical condition, he died in the hospital.
Spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham, while visiting Raipur on Friday, described the attacks as “unfortunate” and warned that Hindus in Bangladesh could disappear without government intervention. He urged the removal of Bangladeshi infiltrators from India and called for robust protection of minorities abroad, stating, “If Hindus there are not safe, they should be given refuge here.”
The developments have strained ties between India and Bangladesh. Delhi has expressed grave concern over documented violence against minorities, while Hindu nationalist groups in India organized protests. Bangladeshi authorities continue to investigate the lynching cases and have made arrests.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
