Bareilly, January 22: In a sharp critique amid rising tensions, All India Muslim Jamaat’s national president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi has urged Indian cricket authorities to reconsider hosting Bangladesh players for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. Bangladesh’s announcement to boycott the tournament has sparked widespread debate across sports, politics, and religious circles.
Speaking exclusively to reporters, Maulana Razvi highlighted the dire human rights situation in Bangladesh. ‘The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) operates under the Sports Ministry, with clear government oversight,’ he stated. ‘Decisions must factor in the ongoing atrocities against minorities there. Playing cricket while ignoring these realities would invite public backlash in India.’
He painted a grim picture of Bangladesh, describing it as a hotbed of extremist ideologies targeting vulnerable communities. ‘There should be no place for Bangladeshi cricketers in India under these circumstances,’ Razvi asserted, calling for a principled stand.
Razvi also dismissed recent remarks from a Kerala Jamaat-e-Islami member who claimed no true person could accept an Islamic caliphate. ‘History proves otherwise,’ he countered. ‘Leaders worldwide have drawn from Prophet Muhammad’s teachings to craft fair laws, ensuring justice, women’s dignity, and equality. Modern constitutions still echo these Islamic principles.’
His words resonate as India prepares for the global showdown, with fans and leaders weighing sportsmanship against moral imperatives. Razvi warned that proceeding without addressing Bangladesh’s crisis could lead to widespread boycotts, underscoring the intersection of geopolitics and cricket.