Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of the the franchise representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League has been heavily criticised by by from the Shiv Sena political party over his recent comments in favor of Pakistani cricket players for not being included in third edition of lucarative Indian Premier League.

“Shah Rukh Khan must withdraw his comments if he wants his new film to be released in Mumbai,” Shiv Sena’s senior party leader Manohar Joshi, told reporters in Mumbai Wednesday. The Shiv Sena, one of the active party in the western state of Maharashtra of which Mumbai is the capital – protested against Khan’s statement and some of its members burned posters of the actor’s upcoming film, “My Name is Khan.”

Khan accepted that Pakistan players should have been chosen for the third edition of the lucrative tournament but he went on to say that since there were issues between India and Pakistan, the IPL should have handled the issue better. “I truly believe they (Pakistan players) should have been chosen,” said Khan a TV interview. “I wanted Abdul Razzaq and I think it was in newspapers much earlier than the auction started that I was very keen,” he added.

Khan said it was humiliating to him as a KKR owner that no one bid for the Pakistani players despite them being put up for auction. “I truly believe, Pakistani players are the best T20 players in the world they are the world champions they are wonderful.”