Kolkata: East Bengal, Mohun Bagan fans protest for justice in RG Kar Hospital case | Video

The fans of the two arch-rival clubs protested outside the Salt Lake Stadium. The Durand Cup match had already been cancelled amid ongoing protests in the city.

Published on: Aug 18, 2024, 18:19:37 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Dramatic scenes were witnessed outside Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday evening, as fans of arch-rival football clubs, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, held a joint protest seeking justice for the victim doctor in the rape and murder case at the city's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Football fans protest outside Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium (x.com/@JhaRahul_Bihar)

The protesters, many of whom were in jerseys of their clubs, displayed posters with the slogan, “We want justice.” They also raised slogans demanding justice for the deceased medic, who was a trainee.

Follow live updates on the case

Also, there were reports of a lathi charge by the police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) on the fans.

The fans were later detained by Kolkata Police. The Durand Cup match between the teams had already been cancelled after organisers were informed by the police that providing security for the game would be a ‘big challenge’ amid protests in the West Bengal capital.

Meanwhile, Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), slammed the authorities, saying that all that was needed for the match, was only 50% of the total police strength deployed to ‘arrest’ the clubs' supporters.

“I believe that football is above religion and caste. I am fully confident that if you organise the match here, there will be no ruckus, no unrest in the football ground, I am fully confident that the people will support their teams peacefully but the match should not be shifted from here. The fans also want that the culprit should be caught as soon as possible and punished,” said Chaubey, a member of West Bengal's opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a former India goalkeeper.

The demonstration outside the stadium was held amid a seven-day prohibition on gatherings outside the RG Kar Hospital, where the rape and murder occurred on August 9.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.