Leaders from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and prominent religious figures have praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following the removal of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

After the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) issued an official statement on Saturday confirming they had released the pacer per BCCI’s directive, BJP leader Sangeet Som described the move as a triumph for the nation's majority faith.

“This is a victory for Hindus across the whole country,” Som told a local news agency. “Thanks to the BCCI for keeping the 100 crore Sanatani Indians in mind. We said yesterday that action would be taken because the emotions of 100 crore people cannot be trifled with.”

Som, a former MLA from Uttar Pradesh, had previously attacked KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan for purchasing Mustafizur at the auction, labeling the Bollywood star a “traitor.”

Following the player's dismissal, Som added, “Shah Rukh Khan has realized that living in India, one should not go against Sanatanis.”

Uttar Pradesh Minister Narendra Kashyap also commended the cricket board's intervention.

He stated that the BCCI respected national sentiment regarding alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, noting that the Indian government has been protesting these issues.

Mustafizur was originally signed by KKR for a record INR 9.20 crore but was forced out following days of intense political pressure.