Producer: Peuli Bakshi
The rivalry between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, is considered one of the biggest football rivalries in Asia. However, they teamed up for a social cause.
Supporters of the clubs gathered near Kolkata's Salt Lake stadium on Sunday evening to protest the brutal murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical Hospital.
Even a Durand Cup match between the two major Indian football clubs was cancelled amid concerns over the law and order.
In a rare sight of camaraderie, supporters of the two clubs, and of Mohammedan SC held each other’s flags and raised slogans demanding justice for the victim’s family.
As the protests spilled onto the busy EM Bypass and blocked the traffic, police chased the agitators in a high-voltage drama and detained some of them.
“We want justice...Together, we Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan fans have assembled here peacefully (to protest),” said Bittu Senapati, a Mohun Bagan fan.
However, police said prohibitory orders under section 163 of the BNSS were imposed in the area from 4 pm till 12 am to prevent any disruption of peace.
The protest was resultant of a postgraduate trainee doctor allegedly being raped and murdered while on duty at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata.