Conserving their bitter rivalry apart, and braving relentless downpour, thousand of followers of Kolkata’s ‘Massive Three’ soccer golf equipment — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting — got here collectively to protest towards the alleged rape and homicide of a physician at RG Kar Medical Faculty and Hospital, Kolkata on Sunday. Unprecedented scenes have been witnessed outdoors the Salt Lake Stadium as India defender and Mohun Bagan captain Subhasish Bose, accompanied by his spouse Kasturi Chetri, and All India Soccer Federation president Kalyan Chaubey joined the protest march, “demanding justice” for the RG Kar sufferer.
The RG Kar incident was completely horrific and thoughts numbing, however the particulars popping out together with the authorities’ makes an attempt to cover the reality and silence the folks is past surprising. pic.twitter.com/RxMH0r6le3
— Subhasish Bose (@subhasis_bose15) August 18, 2024
“I’ve come right here as a commoner. Justice is required to make sure that this incident is rarely repeated. The culprits ought to obtain correct punishment. We are going to proceed our protests till justice is served,” stated Bose whereas his spouse was seen exhibiting a placard with ‘We would like justice. Justice for RG Kar’.
“For the primary time, followers of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting have come collectively to battle for justice. I’m grateful to everybody. This battle isn’t just for Bengal, however for your complete nation.” Bose continued: “Collectively, we are going to battle in order that nobody dares to commit such a heinous act once more. I am a footballer, and the bottom means every little thing to me. But when our moms and sisters do not feel protected in our state or nation, there’s nothing extra vital than addressing that.
“All of us have to come back collectively and battle for his or her security. We should shield them and present them respect. I am right here as a standard individual, with none political affiliation.” Requested about his feeling on the cancellation of Durand Cup derby match towards East Bengal earlier scheduled to be performed on Sunday, he stated: “Nobody would have been happier than me if the match had taken place. I at all times need to play in as many derbies as I can. However this was the federal government’s choice, and so they felt it was vital.
“Nonetheless, the larger trigger is justice for RG Kar, and I’ll at all times stand for that,” he stated.
The followers began assembling round 4pm in entrance of the VIP Gate of the Saltlake Staidum the place the Durand Cup derby match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal was scheduled however solely to be known as off by the administration, fearing safety issues However the followers stored their date with the ‘derby’ and have been additionally joined by the supporters of the town’s different century-old membership — Mohammedan Sporting.
By no means earlier than within the historical past of Kolkata Maidan, the followers of the three rival golf equipment have been seen collectively combating for a standard trigger as they have been additionally seen held up and put inside a lock-up van by the police.
An East Bengal supporter with the pink and gold was seen sitting on the shoulders of a Mohun Bagan fan, passionately clapping and shouting slogans, one thing that aptly summed up the temper.
AIFF chief and former India goalkeeper Chaubey, who can also be a BJP politician, strongly condemned the Trinamool Congress-led state administration.
“It feels some form of a riot is occurring right here. It’s totally shameful and it is a full failure of regulation and order in West Bengal {that a} soccer match couldn’t occur right here,” Chaubey stated.
“If half of the police drive that’s deployed to arrest the followers and cease the protest was there on the stadium, the match would have occurred peacefully. “Why ought to our groups exit to different locations — Jamshedpur, Shillong — to play soccer? That is the mecca of Indian soccer, and soccer ought to occur right here.
“Soccer is past politics, faith or any color. The match shouldn’t have been cancelled. If the followers are arrested, it is a disgrace for the state’s regulation and order,” he added.
Chaubey was additionally seen standing with the supporters and pleaded in entrance of the police van to not arrest any fan, who have been later seen to be launched.
The quarterfinal fixtures of the 133rd Durand Cup was introduced on Sunday with the town internet hosting Bengaluru FC versus Kerala Blasters match of the event.
East Bengal will play their quarterfinal match in Shillong, whereas holders Mohun Bagan will play Punjab FC in Jamshedpur. It stays to be seen if the semifinals and the summit conflict scheduled on August 31 on the Saltlake Stadium are held.
Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are within the reverse finish of the draw and will head for a possible derby last.
The postgraduate trainee physician was allegedly raped and murdered whereas on responsibility on the RG Kar MCH on August 9.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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