Kolkata : The Bengal Giants – East Bengal, Mohun Bagan – Mohammedan fans joined hands to protest against injustice at RG Kar, & cancellation of Bengal Derby in front of Yuva Bharati Stadium, Salt Lake, Kolkata. Mohun Bagan Super Giants captain Subhasish Bose too joined the protests.
On August 9, atrocious rape and murder of PG Medical student took place at RG Kar Hospital , Kolkata. Following this protests erupted not only in Kolkata but also other parts of the world.
In the latest turn of events, in Bengal derby of August 18, Tifos demanding justice for the medical students were supposed to be carried in the stands by fans of both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. However, following this news, Bengal derby was cancelled citing security reasons, but reportedly, main cause was to suppress the voice of the fans.
The fans of 3 Bengal giants clubs then decided to protest in front of Salt Lake Stadium demanding justice for the poor girl, misgovernance of state chief minister and judiciary system. However, to suppress the protests yet again, Section 144 was imposed. Nevertheless fans took to protests despite all restrictions and ‘lathi charges‘ of police, with sheer bravery.
This was one of the rarest cases when thousands of fans joined hands together, fighting for a great cause with bravery.
He said, ‘I have joined this protest. Because I am a citizen. And it is my duty. I have my wife with me. What if he is afraid to go out alone on the street? We all have to stand up against it so that no one else can ever do it.’
On the decision to cancel the Derby he said, “It is the government’s decision.” I don’t know why it was taken, I can’t say anything about it.’
Along with Bose, other Bengal Footballers like Sauvik Chakraborty, Pritam Kotal, Prabir Das also raised their voice on social media. Kalyan Chaubey too hit the streets to raise voice against the government and Kolkata police system.
“It is very shameful. Law and order have completely collapsed in West Bengal. A football match could not happen… and look at police deployment, it looks like a riot is going on,” said Chaubey.
The arterial road connecting the city’s northern end to the south was eventually blocked at different locations, including Kadapara and Beleghata Connector crossings, disrupting the flow of traffic to and from the airport. As the sun went down and darkness set in, more supporters of the three clubs poured in to join the protests.
“We want justice for the sister who was gang-raped and murdered. Together, we Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan fans have assembled here peacefully. Why so many policemen have been deployed here? Why the match had to be cancelled? Don’t we have the right to demand justice for the victim,” asked Bittu Senapati, a Mohun Bagan supporter.
Another Woman Mohun Bagan supporter said, “Where were you when the vandals took siege of the RG Kar Hospital, and doctors, nurses and common people ran for their lives? Where were you when costly medical equipment at the hospital was being vandalised?”
Waving the Tricolour along with the flags of the three clubs, a group of football lovers also sang the national anthem amid chants of “We want justice”. “We only have one demand, we want justice for the doctor and her family,” an East Bengal supporter said, holding a festoon that said, “Two clubs but one voice, justice for RG Kar.”
Ignoring the rain, police beatings, arrests and section 144 imposition, the flags of 3 Bengal Giants waved proudly and voice raised boldly.
A Kolkata derby game being cancelled is very rare, happening only a handful of times since Independence. In 1947, the IFA Shield Final was abandoned over violence in the city, followed by another abandonment in 1959. The IFA Shield Final of 1967, too, was called off over deteriorating law-and-order situation in the city resulting from the ouster of the first United Front government. The last time a Kolkata Derby was impacted was in December 2012 when violence erupted after Mohun Bagan coach Syed Rahim Nabi was hit by a stone from the stands and the team forfeited the match at half time.
However, the in above games, fans stood against each other , this was the 1st time they stood united and fought for a great cause against the odds.
