'A rare photo indeed': Kolkata football derby canceled, BJP steps up attack on Mamata, shows rare unity

In unprecedented scenes in Kolkata on Sunday, supporters of fiercest rivals East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan joined forces to demand justice for a trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Justice for justice – a crime that shocked the country and sparked massive protests, including from the influential medical community.

Unprecedented chants of solidarity rang out around the Salt Lake Stadium on the outskirts of Kolkata, where the two clubs will play the first “Kolkata Derby” of the season, the colloquial name for their world-famous clash. The match between the two teams was called off at the 11th hour on Saturday night as the Bidhan Nagar police said it was unable to provide necessary security cover.

While the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party said the match was canceled due to fears of mass protests, police stressed it was canceled because they had received “intelligence” that there would be “violence” at the venue. “We have received concrete information that some people will also come outside the stadium today to cause trouble,” Bidhan Nagar police officials said at a press conference on Sunday afternoon. Police also released a video purportedly asking to “take up arms”. Conspiracy audio against police “high-pressure”.

But that doesn't stop the protests. “Bangal-Ghotir ektai swar, justice for RG Kar,” supporters of both clubs who gathered near Salt Lake City's Yuva Bharati Krirangan chanted in unison on Sunday, putting aside their century-old rivalry. The slogan can be loosely translated as: “Bangal” (Bengal Hindus who immigrated from what is now Bangladesh and are traditional supporters of East Bengal) and “Ghoti” (believed to be the original inhabitants of Bengal who supported Mohun Pugh) Gan) united in their demand for justice for the RG Kar incident.

There were reports of police charges, drizzle and detention of supporters near the Bidnagar football stadium. But no one can dampen the protesters’ fighting spirit. Posts shared in dramatic visuals ani news agency A man wearing an East Bengal jersey and a man wearing a Mohun Bagan jersey are shown being detained in a police vehicle, surrounded by a large crowd demanding medical treatment for the 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital Justice is served.

For many, the surreal visuals were everywhere on Sunday. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are two of India's oldest football clubs with gleaming trophy cabinets, and their fans are often at loggerheads in centuries-old rivals, engaging in heated and heated social interactions and being embroiled in an ugly stadium clashes, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people in 1980.

While one user on social media said this was the first time “60,000 supporters of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal FC have come together to demand justice for #RGKarHospital doctors”, another user Pointing out that “ #Kolkata has seen unprecedented visuals ”! news18 It was not possible to independently verify the number or number of people attending the protests.

Another user said: “We are united. It's now or never.” The post was accompanied by a photo purportedly of East Bengal supporters and Mohun Bagan fans.

In another dramatic turn, supporters of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have joined the ranks of Mohammedan Sports Club, Kolkata's third football giant now on the road to success after decades of decline. The road to revival.

Supporters chanted “We want justice” in unison. A major road bypassing the city of Kolkata was reportedly closed for at least three-and-a-half hours due to these protests News18 Bengali. Some reports also claimed that Mohun Bagan captain Subhasis Bose met the protesters.

“I myself have arrived outside the stadium and several other fans have also arrived… This is the first time that East Bengal and Mohun Bagan supporters have been together… if half of those who get there Police were deployed to the match and it could have been played…” All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey told Year.

“We [East Bengal and Mohun Bagan supporters] We came together because of the RG Kar incident. The police said they couldn't provide protection so the game was called off…where do the police come from now?

Another pointed out the heavy police security deployment in light of the protests and wondered why the derby couldn't go ahead. “…Where do you get so many police forces? You said that without a police force, you cannot provide police protection. [for the match]…Why did the police charge?

“This is not a battle between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, this is a battle for the whole of India…” a person wearing the red and gold jersey of East Bengal told ANI.

According to News18 Bangla, supporters near the Salt Lake Stadium turned on mobile flashlights as darkness fell and protesters raised their voices despite heavy rain.

The BJP soon called off the much-awaited derby, lashing out at the ruling Trinamool Congress party in the state. “A rare photo indeed! Supporters of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan unite to protest against Mamata Banerjee!” Amit Malviya, head of the party's information and technology wing, said on X Posted on.

“Despite the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan derby scheduled for August 18 being canceled due to concerns over protests and demand for justice for the RG Kar MCH rape and murder victims, fans turned out in large numbers tonight…” Malviya said in another X post.

“Mamata Banerjee could not stop them. But the Kolkata police violently attacked the crowd gathered there. Sad and unfortunate. This will be the death knell for the ruling TMC in Bengal,” he added.

The Kolkata Derby is over 100 years old, and although India ranks above 100th in the FIFA rankings, the folklore of the derby has found its way into Western media. It has divided Bengalis into two factions, forcing them to choose sides in a highly emotional contest. Ultimately, the RG Kar incident bridged a gap that was widely considered unbridgeable.

The horrific hospital crime shocked the country, brought hospital operations under scrutiny, led to the ouster of the principal, prompted courts to intervene and sparked a political war of words. The Calcutta High Court has handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). One person has been arrested in the case.