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- Published: August 18, 2024 19:58
New Delhi: As the city erupts like a volcano following the gruesome r*ape and murder of a resident doctor, sports seem to take a backseat in the city which is known for its footballing heritage. The Kolkata derby which has run in the Ghoti-Bangal rivalry in the Bengali households has seen an unprecedented unity due to the current situation of the state.
Interestingly, this gruesome incident has not only united the football clubs but also the political parties across ideological lines with both the BJP and the CPI(M) cashing in on the mutilated condition of the state. AIFF chief Kalyan Choubey was seen amongst the protestors in an attempt to show his solidarity with thousands of protesting students.
What did the Kolkata Police say?
The official order from the Kolkata Police initially hinted at the fact that the match was cancelled in the state over the fears of some ‘violent’ incidents that were anticipated to take place in front of the stadium.
Furthermore, the Biddhannagar police released an audio clip which hinted at a call to take up ‘arms’ from both sides.
This increased the fear of violent breakout and hence the call from the police was taken up to impose the IPC Section 144 (Section 168 of the BNSS Act).
Order of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionaire (Kolkata Police)
However, politics was not spared in this incident also as the name-calling started from the ruling government. Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya said, “speaks volumes about the condition of law and order in West Bengal…”
Furthermore, Malviya added, “In an unprecedented move, Mamata Banerjee’s Police has cancelled Kolkata’s most awaited football match, the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan derby, scheduled for 18th Aug. The tickets were all sold out. REASON GIVEN: inability to provide security for the game,”
Nevertheless, as the state comes to a standstill; the protesting students, football supporters as well as the people from the political galleries have sung in unison that “Enough is Enough!”