Mohun Bagan – East Bengal Derby Amidst Show of Solidarity for Hindu Refugees at Yuva Bharati.

East Bengal Triumphs in Kolkata Derby Defeating Mohun Bagan Amidst Show of Solidarity for Hindu Refugees.

Sankirtan Das | HENB | Kolkata | Aug 18, 2025:: In a charged atmosphere at the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Sports Complex, East Bengal secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup tournament confirming its position in top four. . Beyond the on-field rivalry, the match witnessed a poignant display of solidarity by Bengali football fans towards Hindu refugees in the gallery.

Gallery Protests and Show of Unity
Fans in the gallery chanted slogans expressing support for Hindu refugees, including “Those for whom I left the country, they are wearing the clothes of Bengalis” and “Every Hindu refugee is my brother, an infiltrator has no place in this country.” This demonstration of unity occurred despite attempts by the police and administration to curtail the expression of emotion. Authorities removed large TIFO banners hung by supporters since morning.

BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari’s Reaction
BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari congratulated football fans of Bengal for showing solidarity towards Hindu refugees during the East Bengal vs. Mohun Bagan match in the Durand Cup tournament.  Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Shuvendu Adhikari, congratulated Bengal football fans on their show of solidarity via Twitter.

No Coverage by Mainstream Media
According to the report, despite the notable incident of fans showing solidarity towards Hindu refugees in the gallery during the match, there was no coverage of this incident by mainstream news media. Suvendu Adhikari did tweet about the incident, bringing attention to it ¹.

Significance of the Show of Solidarity
The display of support for Hindu refugees in the midst of a high-stakes football match underscores the passion and unity of Bengali fans beyond the realm of sports. The incident, unreported by mainstream news media, highlights a unique intersection of sports, social solidarity, and regional politics.
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__Agency Inputs.