Fan violence and vandalism are as old as the history of “Association” football itself. Although one can’t claim the annals of football history is replete with such instances, the English and Latin Americans are no strangers to fan violence for sure.
The Tyne-Wear derby, for example, has always been known for the rough elements that accompany each face-off. And the “Fan” engagements go beyond the usual retinue of barbs and chants. Roker Park (Sunderland’s erstwhile playground) was no stranger to fan violence even since the 1920s!
Club level clashes in Argentina, and to some extent, Brazil are also known for rival groups of gangsters sparring with each other, leading to nothing less than bloodshed and broken limbs, to say the least.
That said, such incidents, however deplorable, do normally occur when rival clubs (and hence, groups of fans) face each other on the playing arena.
Let’s circle back closer home now. There have been generations of so called fans who swear their allegience to a “Football” club, with a deeply parochial moniker and, ergo, an even more partisan following, who have historically desecrated the very sanctity that the spirit of football represents. This is done by a certain section of the fans, and we at mohunbaganclub.com do not consider these lumpens as “fans” whichever club they belong to.
Post 1970-71, their behaviour across the streets of Kolkata, particularly on match days , have plumbed new depths on every occasion. The persons on the receiving end were almost always Mohun Bagan fans, but also included match officials, opposition players and team management, to state but a few.
And due to every kind of covert and overt “Kid glove” oversight on the part of administrators and law enforcement officials (reasons unknown, or is it really the case?), the unparalleled hooliganism and exemplary nuisance they perpetrated just kept on escalating.
To cut to the chase (and the long story short), today the champions of the Universe apparently pulverized Tolly-Barcelona by a convincing margin. With the Mohun Bagan -…..derby knocking on the door, of course such a superlative performance deserved some elevated celebration.
Now, normally, even the most belligerent fans would get ahead of themselves and make a nuisance on the streets/public transport/public spaces‎. There’s ample precedent for each of these actions.
However, a bunch of halfwit, quarter educated  “Fans” decided to troop down to Mohun Bagan tent and ‎started pelting stones at the club gate and boundary wall. Not satisfied with just that, they thought smearing the Club emblem (the glow sign at the entrance to one of the most hallowed portals in global sporting arena, as it happens)  was a nice idea.
And to complete the proceedings, they finally showed what they are capable of: Wild and obscene gesticulation aimed at a handful of young female fans (innocent bystanders for some Mohun Bagan fan club charity event), followed by pulling down of trousers and showing what perhaps they never had…manhood!
Now, my humble question is this: How long would this kind of behaviour be brushed under the carpet, or go unreported, or even be tacitly ratified by the so called stakeholders? Would the media, who normally cannot contain their joyful tidings every time this particular Club takes a dump on the field on unsuspecting and hapless opposition, be responsible enough and at least “Highlight” the facts of the case?
Would the Police act on any General Diary or FIR? Did, according to the law of the land, the perpetrators of such a heinous and abominable act disturb peace or commit gross indecency? How about compromising the dignity of women? Would they be charged on this count? At all?