Football fans demonstrated near the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata against the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Salt Lake Stadium was set to host the iconic Indian derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Emami East Bengal FC in the ongoing Durand Cup on Sunday. However, the first derby of the season was “abandoned” due to security concerns amid massive protests over the alleged rape and murder incident of a junior doctor that took place at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
On Sunday evening, police detained football fans who had gathered near the Salt Lake Stadium to protest. Due to the ongoing widespread protests, a decision was taken to shift the second match of the Durand Cup quarter-final from Kolkata to Shillong.
It is pertinent to note that Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Emami East Bengal FC are bitter rivals, however, fans of both clubs came together to raise their voice against the rape and murder case that has rocked the nation.
A fan protesting outside the stadium said they were protesting peacefully but police began a baton charge.
#LOOK | West Bengal: Police arrest football fans protesting against the rape and murder of a resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
(Images from the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata) photo.twitter.com/De1WJtccrp
ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2024
“Before Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, we were Indians. Atrocities have been committed against Indian women. We were peacefully protesting here, but the police started attacking us with batons,” a protesting football fan present at the Salt Lake stadium told ANI.
“This is not a fight between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. It is an all-India fight. Some people have been arrested,” said another fan.
A fan protesting near Salt Lake City raised the question of why police turned out in large numbers when the match was called off for safety reasons.
Another football fan said: “Where did so much police force come from? You had said there was no police force and it would not be possible to provide police protection (for the match). Why did the police charge with batons?”
“We (East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans) have come together due to the RG Kar incident. The police had said they would not be able to provide protection, hence the match was called off. Where did the police force come from now?” said a fan.
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