The tragic incident at R.G. Kar Medical College, where a doctor was raped and murdered, overshadowed the football rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Ahead of Saturday’s much-anticipated ISL match between the two teams at Yuva Bharati Stadium, many wondered whether the fans would once again come together to protest in unison for justice. Though there was indeed a protest, it lacked the intensity seen in previous demonstrations, with many observers noting the disappointing turnout.
In August, following the cancellation of the derby due to the outcry over the R.G. Kar incident, a massive protest had taken place. The contrast between that protest and the one held on Saturday was hard to miss. Several protest initiatives were organized this time, including a human chain from Ultadanga to Hudco More and another from Ruby More to Beleghata Building More. Senior doctors also planned a protest in front of Yuva Bharati Stadium.
However, only about 150 people gathered for the human chain at Ruby More, far fewer than expected. Due to the lack of manpower, the planned march towards Yuva Bharati had to be called off. At Ultadanga, around 50 Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fans gathered, waving flags and chanting “We Want Justice.” A few fans were seen holding banners with the slogan “Bichar Chai” (We Want Justice) near the Bypass in mini trucks.
Tensions briefly escalated in front of the VIP gate at Yuva Bharati Stadium when senior doctors, including Dr. Subarna Goswami, were peacefully protesting. A group of youths interrupted the protest by shouting slogans of “Joy Bangla” and trying to break up the human chain. In response, the protestors chanted “Bichar Chai.” One of the senior doctors remarked, “We were simply demanding justice. Those who don’t want justice are the ones causing disruptions.”
The R.G. Kar incident had earlier led to the cancellation of the Mohun Bagan-East Bengal derby on August 18, which was part of the Durand Cup. After that, fans from both clubs marched towards Yuva Bharati Stadium, demanding justice for the slain doctor. The protest turned chaotic as some fans clashed with police, leading to several detentions, though they were later released. Despite this, at subsequent matches, fans were seen holding banners and tifo with the words “We Want Justice” and chanting slogans like “Justice for our Sister.”
During the August derby cancellation, even members of the state’s ruling party questioned the decision. The Bidhannagar Police had justified the decision, citing the tense situation in the city and the unavailability of adequate police personnel for the match due to deployment at various locations.
This time, however, despite the anticipation of a large-scale protest, the demonstration failed to gather the momentum seen in previous protests.