Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday questioned the Centre over allowing former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to stay in India, accusing the Union government of following a double standard in its foreign policy.
Referring to Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, Owaisi asked why India prevented him from playing cricket here. At the same time, he questioned why Sheikh Hasina continues to remain in the country.
Owaisi said the Centre cited attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh to justify action against the cricketer. However, he alleged that the government applied a different approach in the case of Sheikh Hasina. He demanded clarity on this contradiction.
Owaisi flags double standards in Centre’s Bangladesh policy
The AIMIM leader recalled that India played Pakistan in the Asia Cup even after Pakistan-backed terrorists killed tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. He said this showed inconsistency in linking sports with political decisions.
Owaisi also referred to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s earlier objection to mixing sports and politics. He said the Centre ignored such concerns and failed to adopt a consistent policy.
He further noted that the BCCI recently directed the Shah Rukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 season due to violence in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina, who left Bangladesh amid strong opposition, continues to stay in India. Owaisi said the Bangladesh government has sought her return. However, he added that Hasina has claimed threat to her life and harassment under the guise of investigations.
Owaisi said stability in Bangladesh is important for India. Therefore, he urged the Centre to consider the growing influence of China and Pakistan while framing its foreign policy.