Spiritual leader and storyteller Devkinandan Thakur has sparked controversy after publicly criticizing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for signing a Bangladeshi cricketer during the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. His remarks, delivered during a religious discourse, have gone viral on social media and triggered widespread debate.
Thakur’s comments come amid reports and allegations circulating on social media regarding violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh over the past several days. Against this backdrop, KKR’s decision to purchase a Bangladeshi player for ₹9.20 crore has drawn criticism from certain groups.
During his address, Thakur questioned why a Bangladeshi player was given an opportunity in the IPL and alleged that the sentiments of Indian Hindus were being repeatedly ignored. Without naming KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, Thakur indirectly referred to the team’s ownership while expressing his disapproval.
What Devkinandan Thakur Said
In his speech, Thakur stated that his team researched IPL squads and found that only one franchise had included a Bangladeshi cricketer. He claimed the team’s owner resides in Mumbai and made remarks suggesting political and ideological bias, statements that have since circulated widely online.
IPL में बांग्लादेशी क्रिकेटर को जगह क्यों दी गई?
हिंदुओं की भावनाओं को बार-बार अनदेखा क्यों किया जाता है?
अगर सच में हिंदुओं से प्रेम है, तो बांग्लादेशी क्रिकेटर को अभी टीम से बाहर किया जाए।#IPL2026Auction #IPL2026 #bangladeshi #IPL #BCCI pic.twitter.com/N5tQJqO4es— Devkinandan Thakur Ji ( सनातनी ) (@DN_Thakur_Ji) December 30, 2025
He further said that if the franchise truly felt pain over the deaths of Hindus and incidents involving violence against children, then the Bangladeshi player should be immediately removed from the squad. Thakur warned that if the player remained part of the team, calls for a boycott of KKR could follow.
Addressing the audience, he urged people to raise their hands in support of his demand, adding that public support had the power to elevate or diminish public figures. He emphasized that those who made someone a “hero” could also turn them into “zero,” a line that has been widely shared across platforms.
Questions Raised Over IPL Contract
Thakur also questioned the ₹9.20 crore contract amount, asking where the money would ultimately be used and whether such financial decisions were morally justified under the circumstances he described. He concluded his remarks by calling on people to remain alert and prepared to respond if corrective action was not taken.
Social Media Reaction
Clips from the discourse have gone viral, drawing mixed reactions online. While some users have expressed support for Thakur’s views, others have criticized the remarks, calling for sports and politics to remain separate. As of now, KKR and its management have not issued any official statement responding to the controversy.
Disclaimer
The statements quoted in this article reflect the views of Devkinandan Thakur and are reported for informational purposes only. The claims made during the speech have not been independently verified.
