# Bangladesh Is Not Pakistan, Hasn’t Sent Terrorists Across Border: Shashi Tharoor

> Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the BCCI for directing Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, calling it “absolutely appalling” and politicising sport. He stressed that…

Published: 2026-01-07 · Desk: Latest · Source: Daily Sun

Congress MP and Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs chairperson Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for instructing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), describing the decision as “absolutely appalling” and an unnecessary politicisation of sport.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Tharoor said cricket should not become a casualty of the “delicate diplomatic and political relationship” between India and Bangladesh, particularly while both nations are attempting to manage tensions diplomatically.

He argued that the move makes little sense from a cricketing perspective, noting that Rahman was included in the pool of players approved by the BCCI for selection by any IPL franchise. “If the BCCI placed him in the eligible pool, how can KKR be faulted for selecting him?” he questioned.

The BCCI’s directive comes amid strained India-Bangladesh ties following reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, which sparked strong reactions in India. Tharoor acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, emphasizing India’s ongoing diplomatic engagement to encourage calm ahead of Bangladesh’s elections and maintain contact with key political figures, including BNP leader Tarique Rahman.

He warned that the decision sends the wrong message, potentially affecting upcoming international tournaments, including Bangladesh’s matches in India during the T20 World Cup in February. “Are we going to ban the entire team? Will the World Cup be disrupted? Could hosting rights be questioned?” he asked, calling the move “incredibly foolish” and poorly considered.

Tharoor also raised moral concerns, questioning why sports, particularly cricket, are repeatedly targeted amid social media outrage. He stressed that Mustafizur Rahman has never engaged in hate speech or taken a political stance against India or its minorities. “He is simply a sportsman. Who exactly are we punishing here?” he asked, warning that selective action could create an image of intolerance.

“This demeans our nation, our diplomacy, and our bilateral relationship,” he said. Tharoor also criticised the postponement of India’s tour of Bangladesh, urging clarity on the rationale, and rejected comparisons between Bangladesh and Pakistan: “Bangladesh is not Pakistan. It has not been sending terrorists across the border. The nature of our relationship is entirely different,” he concluded.

Original reporting: https://www.daily-sun.com/world/849985/dropping-mustafizur-from-ipl-absolutely-appalling-shashi-tharoor?fbclid=IwY2xjawPK5b1icmlkETE1YXllamRodmY1WXZkY2swc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvvSSdoEptMUijF1eAF0jiVHYJBDUePvYv9g7LDE0dO49L5CJvsNG0sevtp-&brid=_rbSuEhBpL0dW1tAWiTkgA
HTML: https://tezzfeed.com/latest-news/bangladesh-is-not-pakistan-hasnt-sent-terrorists-across-border-shashi-tharoor-1767770095729
Bangladesh desk: https://tezzfeed.com/bangladeshi-news.md
Agent map: https://tezzfeed.com/llms.txt