Bangladesh cricketer Shakib al Hasan receives threat over allegedly inaugurating Kali Puja

Bangladesh police on Tuesday arrested a man who allegedly issued death threats to cricket all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for inaugurating a Kali puja pandal in Kolkata, even as cricketer issued an apology and said he only joined function briefly. A joint team of elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police arrested 28-year-old Mohsin Talukdar from souastern Sunamganj district after 24 hours of a massive manhunt.

"He is w in our custody awaiting subsequent legal procedures," a police officer familiar with development told PTI.

After cricketer's picture at programme in Kolkata's Amra Sobai Club went viral, Talukdar went live on Facebook on Sunday night carrying a large machete in his hand and threatened to kill Shakib, saying he hurt his religious sentiments by inaugurating Puja event in West Bengal's capital city.

By early morning, Talkudar, however, withdrew threat and apologised in ar live video on social media and n went into hiding. He was later traced in neighbouring Sunamganj district. His wife was previously detained for questioning. 33-year-old cricketer in a post on Facebook denied inaugurating puja pandal. He said it was inaugurated by Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim.

"Media, social media everywhere it was flooded that I went to Kolkata to inaugurate a puja ceremony which actually was t reason behind my visit and I did t inaugurate puja. puja was inaugurated by Firhad Hakim, mayor of Kolkata. In my invitation card it was clearly mentioned that I was t chief guest for puja," he said in post on Monday.

Shakib said since he played for Kolkata Knight Riders for a few years, "people re kw and love me and st, where my programme took place, was next to puja pandal but religious issues were discussed." "While I was going back to car, I had to go through pandal because all or exits were blocked. re I stopped for a few seconds and as crowd and organisers requested, I lit a candle which w I feel that I have done wrong," he said. cricket star, however, also issued an apology, saying he is a "practicing Muslim and always tried to follow religious customs (and) please forgive me if I have done anything wrong".

Shakib went to Kolkata last Thursday for business purposes and was n pictured at a Kali Puja festival in Kolkata's Kakurgachi area. According to media reports, Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Paul, who was main organiser of Kali Puja st in Kolkata, said Shakib did t inaugurate any puja pandal at all and he just got up on st, addressed audience and lit candles. Kolkata's Amra Sobai Club has been hosting Kali Puja for past seven years.

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Im Credits: ICC