A fresh political controversy has erupted after BJP leader Sangeet Som called Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor”. His remark came after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
KKR is co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan. The team picked Rahman for Rs 9.2 crore during the IPL auction. Soon after, the decision sparked strong reactions. Several right-wing leaders questioned the move. They linked it to reports of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Sangeet Som became the loudest voice in the debate. He took the issue to a public stage and directly targeted Shah Rukh Khan. His comments quickly triggered outrage and a wider political row.
What Sangeet Som Said About Shah Rukh Khan
Speaking at a public gathering in Meerut, Sangeet Som questioned Shah Rukh Khan’s intentions. He said celebrities who gained fame and success in India should not support or associate with countries where Hindus are allegedly facing persecution.
Som claimed such actions amount to betrayal of the nation. He said, “Hum daave ke saath keh rahe hain ki aise khiladiyon ko yahan khelne nahi diya jaayega. Shah Rukh Khan jaise gaddaron ko yeh samajh lena chahiye ki aap jis tarah desh ke saath gaddari kar rahe hain, agar aap aaj is mukaam par pahunche hain toh is desh ke logon ki wajah se pahunche hain.”
He added, “Kabhi Pakistan ko chanda dene ki baat karte hain, kabhi Rahman jaise khiladi kharidne ki baat karte hain. Yeh ab is desh mein nahi chalega. Aise gaddaron ke liye desh mein ab koi jagah nahi rahegi.”
Som also made another controversial claim. He said that if Mustafizur Rahman comes to India to play, he may not even be able to step out of the airport. His remarks further fueled anger and concern.
SRK Traitor Controversy Sparks Political And Social Media Reactions
Political reactions followed soon after. Congress MP Manickam Tagore strongly criticised Som’s remarks. He described them as an “attack on India’s pluralism”. He said hate-driven politics harms social harmony and weakens national unity.
Other Congress leaders also spoke out. They said IPL team selections are professional decisions. They added that sports should not be dragged into political debates.
However, social media saw the sharpest response. Many users questioned why Shah Rukh Khan was being blamed. They pointed out that player approvals fall under the BCCI. One user wrote,
“Isnt it BCCI’s job to oversee who is coming to play? If Jay Shah isn’t doing anything, questioning Shahrukh is stupid.”
Another comment read, “It should be BCCI to decide and oversee which player gets to play and who stays away.”
A user asked, “Why did BCCI listed Bangladesh players in auction?”
Others criticised the mixing of politics and sport. One post said, “Sport is no place for politics.”
The controversy comes at a time when India–Bangladesh relations are already under strain due to reports of communal violence. For now, Shah Rukh Khan has not responded to the remarks. The debate continues to divide political voices and online users.
