Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 4 : Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey on Sunday welcomed the decision to drop Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, asserting that no Bangladeshi cricketer should be allowed to play matches on Indian soil amid current political and human rights concerns.
Speaking to ANI, Dubey said, "No Bangladeshi cricketer should play a match on Indian soil. Just like Bangladesh and Pakistan conspired against India, India will not tolerate this anymore. We are Shiv Sainiks of Balasaheb Thackeray, who have always stood up for our Hindutva, for our saffron flag, for our Sanatan Dharma, for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, our deity, and we have always confronted our enemies."
Dubey claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) had demanded a boycott of Mustafizur Rahman soon after his inclusion in the IPL squad was announced. "We said that Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman should be boycotted. Even if it was done in a hurry, better late than never. The BCCI took action and instructed KKR to drop Rahman," he told ANI.
The three-time IPL champions had picked Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore for the 2026 season. However, his signing triggered widespread backlash from political groups and sections of the public, citing human rights violations against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Dubey also alleged that following his public statements, he received threatening calls from Bangladesh.
"At around 10:30 pm last night, I received several WhatsApp calls. They abused and insulted my family and me and threatened that my country would be destroyed," he said.
Dubey added that he approached the police, who assured him of protection and vigilance. "We are not afraid or intimidated. It is our democratic right to express our views while maintaining decorum," he said.
Confirming the development, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had told ANI that the board had instructed KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman amid "recent developments" and assured that the franchise would be allowed a replacement if requested.
In a subsequent press release, KKR said the decision was taken following due process and consultations on BCCI's instructions.