Subhasish Bose joined the protest.
Putting aside their bitter rivalry and braving the relentless downpour, thousands of fans of CalcuttaThe Big Three Football Clubs in England: Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting – joined forces to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, here on Sunday.
Unprecedented scenes were witnessed outside the Saltlake Stadium when Indian defender and Mohun Bagan captain Subhasish Boseaccompanied by his wife Kasturi Chetri and the president of the All India Football Federation. Kalyan Chaubey joined the protest march, “demanding justice” for RG Kar’s victim.
“I came here as a common citizen. Justice is needed to ensure that this incident is never repeated. The culprits must be given the punishment they deserve. We will continue our protests till justice is done,” Bose said as his wife held up a placard reading “We want justice. Justice for RG Kar.”
“For the first time, fans of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting have come together to fight for justice. I am grateful to everyone. This fight is not just for Bengal, but for the entire country.”
Bose continued: “Together we will fight to ensure that no one dares to commit such a heinous act again. I am a footballer and the field means everything to me. But if our mothers and sisters do not feel safe in our state or country, there is nothing more important than addressing that.
“We all have to come together and fight for their safety. We must protect them and show them respect. I am here as an ordinary person, without any political affiliation.”
Asked about his views on the cancellation of the Durand Cup derby against East Bengal, earlier scheduled for Sunday, he said: “Nobody would have been happier than me if the match had gone ahead. I always want to play in as many derbies as I can. But this was the government’s decision and they felt it was necessary. “However, the most important cause is justice for RG Kar and I will always stand for it,” he said.
Fans started gathering around 4 pm in front of the VIP Gate of Saltlake Stadium, where the Durand Cup derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal was scheduled to take place but was called off by the management fearing security concerns.
But the fans kept their date with the ‘derby’ and they were also joined by the followers of the other centenary club of the city: Mohammedan Sporting.
Never before in the history of Kolkata Maidan, fans of the three rival clubs were seen together fighting for a common cause as they were also seen being assaulted and locked in a locked truck by the police.
An East Bengal supporter in a red and gold jersey was seen sitting on the shoulders of a Mohun Bagan supporter, clapping passionately and shouting slogans, which aptly summed up the mood.
AIFF chief and former India goalkeeper Chaubey, who is also a BJP politician, strongly condemned the Trinamool Congress-led state administration.
“It seems that some kind of unrest is going on here. It is a shame and a complete failure of law and order in West Bengal that a football match cannot be held here,” Chaubey said.
“If half of the police force deployed to stop the fans and stop the protest had been at the stadium, the match would have taken place peacefully. Why should our teams go to other places like Jamshedpur, Shillong to play football? This is the Mecca of Indian football and football should be played here.
“Football is beyond politics, religion and any colour. The match should not have been cancelled. If the fans are arrested, it is a disgrace to the public order of the State,” he added.
Chaubey was also seen standing with the supporters and pleading in front of the police van not to arrest any supporters, who were later seen being released.
The quarter-final matches of the 133rd Durand Cup were announced on Sunday and the city will host the tournament match between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters.
East Bengal will play their quarter-final in Shillong, while reigning champions Mohun Bagan will take on Punjab FC in Jamshedpur. It remains to be seen whether the semi-finals and the summit clash, scheduled for August 31 at the Saltlake Stadium, will take place.
Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are at the opposite end of the draw and could face a potential derby final.
The postgraduate doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar MCH on August 9.
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