A day after the Durand Cup match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal was canceled due to security concerns, fans from both teams, along with supporters from other clubs like Mohammedan Sporting, gathered on EM Bypass in Eastern Kolkata. The protest was in response to the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital, and anger was directed at the police and West Bengal government.
Earlier in the day, the West Bengal police imposed Section 163 of the BNSS (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC) near the Salt Lake Stadium to prevent large gatherings. However, this did not deter protestors from assembling in significant numbers. The crowd, driven by a shared sense of injustice, defied the ban and gathered to voice their grievances.
As the number of protestors grew, the police resorted to a lathi-charge around 4:45 PM IST to disperse the crowd, leading to injuries and the detention of several individuals. Despite the chaos, a few protestors claimed to have lost their belongings in the melee but continued to stand their ground. Riot police were present but did not engage directly, merely observing from the periphery with tear-gas guns in hand.
Even after most of the crowd dispersed, some protestors braved the rain to continue their demonstration. "We want justice" was the main slogan chanted by the crowd, who also expressed frustration over the cancellation of the much-anticipated Kolkata derby, a rare event that has only been canceled a few times since Independence.
Historically, Kolkata derby cancellations have been linked to violence or deteriorating law and order, but this time, fans from rival teams stood united for a common cause. The protestors only paused when two ambulances needed to pass through the EM Bypass, demonstrating a shared humanity amidst their defiance.
Later in the day, Mohun Bagan captain and national team defender Subhasish Bose joined the protest, emphasizing that he was there as a common citizen. Bose stated that justice was needed to ensure such incidents never happen again and that the culprits should be properly punished. He expressed his gratitude for the unity shown by fans of different teams in fighting for justice.
Bose also highlighted that this fight was not just for Bengal, but for the entire country. He stressed the importance of safety and respect for women, stating that if people do not feel safe in their state or country, nothing else matters. Bose reiterated that his participation was purely as a common person, without any political affiliation, and that the bigger cause was justice for RG Kar.
As a result of the abandoned fixture, the points were shared between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The teams now move on to the quarterfinals, with East Bengal facing Shillong Lajong FC in Shillong on August 21, and Mohun Bagan taking on Punjab FC in Jamshedpur on August 23.
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