In a rare sight, the fans of the ‘Big Three’ football clubs in Kolkata – Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting – unitedly protested against the alleged rape and murder of the doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
India defender and Mohun Bagan captain Subhasish Bose was seen being accompanied by his wife Kasturi Chetri, and All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey outside the Saltlake Stadium demanding justice for the deceased doctor.
“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,” said Bose. Meanwhile, Kasturi could be seen showing a placard with ‘We want justice. Justice for RG Kar’.
Bose added that this is the first time that fans of the rival football clubs 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,” he said.
“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,” he continued.
Fans began gathering around 4 pm in front of the VIP Gate at Salt Lake Stadium for the Durand Cup derby match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. However, the event was called off by the administration due to security concerns.
Bengal film fraternity protests
Actors, directors, and technicians from Bengal held a rally in Kolkata on Sunday to protest the rape and murder of the doctor.
Among those who participated were Directors Kaushik Ganguly, Srijit Mukherjee, Shibo Prasad Mukhopadhyay, Raj Chakraborty, Arjun Datta, actors Paoli Dam, Ankush Hazra, Parambrata Chatterjee, Saswata Chatterjee, Srabanti Chatterjee, Anirban Chakraborty, and Subhasree Ganguly, all of whom was a kilometre chanting, “The Bengali film industry has one voice, we want justice for the victim.”
Dam said, “I had to come to the rally today. A woman medical student was brutalised and murdered at her own workplace. We cannot stay silent; we must respond.” The procession began at Technicians’ Studio in Tollygunge, traveled by bus to Khanna crossing in North Kolkata, and then continued on foot to Shyambazar Metro Station.
(With PTI inputs)