'BJP Plays Cricket While Bangladesh Burns': Tamil Actress Kasturi Slams BCCI, Govt Over Cricket Series

Tamil actress Kasturi Shankar has come down heavily on the BCCI and the Indian government for conducting the cricket series between the Bangladesh and India as the attacks against the Hindus have continued in the neighbouring nation.

The Tamil actress, who is vocal about local, national and international issues, recalled how the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa had banned the Sri Lankan players and match officials from participating in cricket matches hosted by MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Ever since Sheikh Hasina stepped down as the Bangladesh PM and escaped to India, there have been reports of attacks on minority Hindus.

She said in a post on X: "In 2016, Amma Jayalalithaa put her foot down on the BCCI and refused entry to any Sri lankan players umpires or officials. That is how one stands up for their people."

Criticising the BJP and the Hindu outfits for allowing the series, she said, "Like Nero, BJP plays cricket while Bangladesh burns. Shame on so called Hindu outfits who mutely watch!"

Calling the BJP government at the centre of being insensitive towards the attack on the Hindus, she said, "The Anti Hindu mindset of the TN govt led by DMK & it's I.N.D.I.A allies is well known. At least they are being straight. It is the BJP at the center that decides on sports diplomacy. Ignoring the ethnic cleansing in Bangladesh reeks of hypocrisy & insensitivity . Ban BAN."

When a follower of her Twitter account said that it was unfair to mix politics with cricket, she cited the examples of South Africa (banned for 21 years for the government's apartheid policy under which the blacks were tormented) and Russia (following invasion of Ukraine) which were banned from international sports.

She said, "Why was South Africa banned from international sports? Why is Russia banned now? We must stand up for Human rights. Playing games with a country where religious genocide is happening right now is a shock , a shame, a crime. Ban BAN."

However, some followers reminded her that South African government had an official policy of aparathied, while Bangladesh has no such discriminatory policy.

The first of the two-test match series started in Chennai on Thursday. Bangladesh won the toss and choose to bow first at Chepauk in Chennai.

After 34 overs, India has lost four wickets for 130 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal is batting at 50 with KL Rahul who has scored 10. Star batters Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubham Gill are out for cheaply.

Apart from two test matches, Bangladesh will be playing three T20 matches against India.