A soccer match between two of Kolkata’s fiercest rivals was canceled amid protests over the rape and homicide of a physician at a public hospital, sparking a contemporary political controversy and galvanizing polarizing assist They shaped a uncommon unity – albeit a short-lived one.
Whereas the Bharatiya Janata Social gathering (BJP) mentioned the much-anticipated contest was known as off as a result of fears of mass protests, a pacesetter of the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) mentioned canceling the competition would ship a mistaken message Sign.In the meantime, some fan accounts on Sunday rhapsodized about solidarity between followers of the 2 golf equipment, whose supporters have steadily feuded and had been concerned in an unpleasant stadium conflict in 1980. Leading to 16 deaths.
The trophy cupboards of India’s two oldest soccer golf equipment, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, are gleaming on Sunday as they resume their rivalry for what may very well be their first season of the season on the Salt Lake Stadium in Bidhan Nagar, on the outskirts of town. ’s first confrontation. Often known as the Kolkata Derby, the conflict is over 100 years outdated and regardless of India’s FIFA rating of over 100, the folklore of the derby has discovered its method into Western media.
No marvel expectations are so excessive. This time, after a 31-year-old trainee physician was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s premier RG Kar Medical Faculty and Hospital, calls for for justice drowned out the normally heated debates and heated jibes about supremacy on Fb fan pages. Some fan pages had been flooded with concepts for banners calling for unity and demanding justice for medical graduate college students. However there was unhealthy information on Saturday night time: officers canceled the derby as a result of police had been unable to supply the required “safety cowl”.
“Mamata Banerjee Police have taken the unprecedented step of canceling Kolkata’s most anticipated soccer match – the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan derby scheduled for August 18. All tickets have been bought out .The rationale given was: Unable to supply safety for the sport.
Malviya’s occasion has stepped up assaults on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s authorities and demanded her resignation over the rape-murder case.
“…The true cause is that this: Supporters from East Bengal and Mohun Bagan plan to carry posters and placards demanding justice for RG Kar MCH rape and homicide victims and demand Mamata Banna Gee resigned. The sport was canceled as a result of concern of mass protests,” he mentioned in a prolonged submit on X.
Confronted with continued assaults by the BJP, the TMC has supported the Kolkata Police’s preliminary investigation into the RG Kar incident, denied any cover-up try and accused its political opponents of fomenting riots and politicizing the crime that has sparked nationwide turmoil. Protests, together with from the influential medical group. CM Banerjee himself accused the BJP and the Left of vandalizing RG Kar Hospital in the course of the midnight solidarity protest.
Sukanta Majumdar, Union minister and Bengal BJP president, accused the state authorities of “failing on each entrance”.
“Is the Kolkata Police incompetent in offering safety to athletes and soccer matches?
“@KolkataPolice has canceled the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan derby citing lack of ability to supply safety,” he posted on X.
To make sure, the Bidhan Nagar police mentioned they had been unable to supply satisfactory safety for Derby. Bidhangarh police station and Kolkata police station come beneath the jurisdiction of two totally different boards.
There are additionally voices within the TMC camp. Kunal Ghosh, Banerjee’s most trusted lieutenant, mentioned he was a supporter of Mohun Bagan and requested the federal government to take a choice to cancel the derby.
“If anybody needs to fly a ‘Justice’ banner, allow them to. Ignore different provocative banners. Canceling the derby would ship a mistaken message. Bamram [read the Left and the BJP] Will improve criticism. Let the sport occur,” he mentioned in an X submit in Bengali.
Amongst fan bases, frustration was palpable and other people expressed dissatisfaction with the police actions.
Mohun Bagan and East Bengal followers unite to demand justice in RG Kar medical incident. The federal government canceled Sunday’s derby amid fears of such protests, chants and banners. pic.twitter.com/HwjeB95pGA— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) August 18, 2024
“Mohan Bagan and East Bengal followers had been pure rivals on the sphere! However now they’re united. United for a trigger. Justice for his or her sister. Seeing them united, even the state authorities needed to Sunday derby cancelled.
One other netizen mentioned: “Congratulations to East Bengal and Mohun Bagan followers! Your unity has shocked your entire authorities!
The horrific crime shocked the nation, introduced the hospital’s operations beneath scrutiny, led to the ouster of the principal, prompted courts to intervene and sparked a political disagreement. The Calcutta Excessive Courtroom has handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). One particular person has been arrested within the case.
