India’s domestic political tensions have once again spilled into the sporting arena, with Bangladeshi cricket becoming the latest focus of controversy after opposition from a hardline Hindu nationalist group to the participation of Bangladeshi players in the Indian Premier League.The extremist Hindutva party Shiv Sena has publicly objected to Bangladeshi cricketers featuring in IPL matches, arguing that they should not be allowed to play in India.

Shiv Sena’s Haryana chief, Neeraj C Sethi, announced that the party had decided to block Bangladeshi players from participating in the league.In a statement, Sethi warned that further restrictions could be imposed on Bangladesh should India’s opposition continue, escalating concerns over the growing politicisation of sports in the country.

The development follows earlier controversies involving Pakistan cricket, reinforcing perceptions that geopolitical tensions are increasingly influencing sporting decisions.Analysts say the episode reflects a broader pattern in which India, facing challenges on political, defence, and diplomatic fronts, has allowed domestic ideological battles to intrude into international sport.

Critics argue that such moves risk undermining the IPL’s global appeal at a time when the league is already facing questions about its long-term sustainability.The opposition to Bangladeshi players has drawn attention internationally, with observers warning that the blending of politics and sport damages cricket’s image as a unifying force.

The use of sporting platforms to advance ideological agendas, they say, erodes the values traditionally associated with the game.As reactions continue to emerge, the controversy has reignited debate over whether India’s increasingly polarised politics is harming its standing in global sport and weakening cricket’s reputation as a game that transcends national and political divides.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)