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"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you, football is much more than that", this is a famous quote from Bill Shankly. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans just proved that right on Sunday as they dismissed rivalries to protest for something bigger than the sport.
In 2005, the whole world saw how football stopped a war when Didiger Drogba picked up the mic and said, 'Please lay down your weapons and hold elections." 19 years later, if it was not for stopping a war, it was indeed for justice that football united people.
The whole of Bengal and Kolkata were getting ready to raise their voice against the heinous offence that took place at the RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. The banners were ready, the tifos were made, and the rivals for a lifetime were set to be friends for a better cause. But, since the police could provide enough security, the Kolkata derby was cancelled and both teams were given a point. None of the teams, East Bengal or Mohun Bagan Super Giant seemed to complain about that as both qualified for the knockouts.
But, the fans were not happy with the qualification or the shared points. They wanted the match to happen to raise voices for justice.
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"দুই গ্যালারির একই স্বর
জাস্টিস ফর আর. জি. কর"
The slogan was ready which meant both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Gallery raising their voice to get justice for R.G. Kar. Soon after the cancellation of the derby, the fan groups of both clubs decided to protest in front of the V.I.P gate of Vivekananda Yuba Bharat Krirangan. The news spread like an accurate pass from Bhaichung Bhutia or a Sunil Chhetri and soon, everyone knew they were up for something big.
West Bengal police had already imposed Section 163 of the BNSS (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC) near the stadium to stop the protestors from any large gathering. But, that did not stop East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and a bit of Mohammedan Sporting fans from raising their voices and gathering in a large number.
It was around 4.45 pm IST, that the police started lathi-charge to scatter the crowd, leaving many of the protesters injured. A few were arrested by the police and many lost their shoes and belongings during the lathi charge. However, AIFF President and BJP member Kalyan Chaubey came to the rescue to first request the police to release a few of the detained protestors.
"Football is not involved in any politics:" Kalyan Chaubey
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Chaubey was seen among the protesters and said: "The first derby match of the season between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan was scheduled to be held today and the number of police personnel that has been deployed here to stop this match and to arrest the supporters who had come to watch the match, if even half of them were deployed then this match would have taken place today."
"I believe that football is not involved in any politics, it is above all religion, caste. I am fully confident that if you organize the match here, there will be no ruckus, no unrest in the football ground, I am fully confident that all the people will support their teams peacefully but the match should not be shifted from here," Kalyan Chaubey added.
"This fight is not just for Bengal, but for the entire country:" Subhasish Bose
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The protest kept on going with the sun setting on the West and with every minute, even on a rainy evening, the voices of "We Want Justice" kept on rising. Mohun Bagan captain and Indian men's national football team defender Subhasish Bose also joined the protesters alongside his wife.
"I've come here as a commoner. Justice is needed to ensure that this incident is never repeated. The culprits should receive proper punishment. We will continue our protests until justice is served," Bose said.
"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.
"Together, we will fight so that no one dares to commit such a heinous act again. I'm a footballer, and the ground means everything to me. But if our mothers and sisters don't 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'm here as a common person, without any political affiliation.
"The bigger cause is justice for RG Kar, and I will always stand for that," the defender added.
Later in the night, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey intervened to bail out all the football fans who were detained by the police during the protest.
Just left the Police HQ, Lalbazar , after securing bail for our football fans, and ensuring they are not subjected to any trauma of spending night at police station. pic.twitter.com/9dCpOQum6y
— Kalyan Chaubey (@kalyanchaubey) August 18, 2024
With arch-rivals uniting for a greater cause than football, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting fans again proved that sports unite people more than anything in this world.
