Kolkata's vibrant football culture has once again witnessed the powerful intersection of sports and socio-political commentary, as fans of Mohun Bagan used their recent match as a platform to champion the cause of the Bengali language and identity. This act of protest follows a similar demonstration by East Bengal supporters, highlighting a growing trend of Kolkata football stadiums becoming arenas for voicing dissent and addressing social issues.
During their Saturday match at Salt Lake Stadium, Mohun Bagan supporters unfurled a giant tifo displaying lines from a Tagore song: "Bangalir pon, Bangalir asha, Bangalir kaj, Bangalir bhasha — Satya houk, Satya houk, Satya houk hey bhogoban (The honour of the Bengali, the hope of the Bengali, the work of the Bengali, the language of the Bengali — let it be true, let it be true, let it be true, oh God)". Below this, another banner proclaimed: "Deshta karor baaper noy, noyko jaater khela, ei Bangali-i ghuchiechhilo paradhinatar jwala (This country doesn't belong to anyone's father, nor is it a game of caste, it was the Bengalis who brought independence)".
These banners directly condemned the recent instances of labeling Bengali-speaking people as "Bangladeshi," a sentiment that many Bengalis view as undermining their cultural contributions, sacrifices in the freedom struggle, and overall role in Indian nation-building. The Mohun Bagan Ultras' protest is rooted in the history of the Bengali language movement, where in 1905, Bengalis used this song as a weapon in the anti-partition movement during Banga Bhanga protests, uniting in the Rakhibandhan festival led by Tagore. This year's protest also coincided with Rakhi, adding another layer of historical and cultural significance. The tifo, created by Mariners Dé Xtreme - Ultras of Mohun Bagan, featured portraits of iconic Bengali figures such as Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Khudiram Bose.
The recent protests were seemingly triggered by incidents like a Delhi Police officer's letter seeking a translator for the "Bangladeshi language". This sparked outrage and allegations of discrimination against Bengali migrants, further fueling the fire. East Bengal fans also displayed a tifo during their Durand Cup match against Namdhari FC with the message: "Bharat Swadhin Korte Sedin Porechhilam Phansi, Maa er Bhasha Bolchi Bole, Ajke Bangladeshi (I was hanged that day to free India! Am I a Bangladeshi today because I speak my mother tongue?)".
Sociologist Prasanta Roy notes that football stadiums are increasingly becoming "safe spaces" for expressing dissent, especially as public protests face greater monitoring. Tifos, in particular, carry the weight of collective sentiment, anonymity, and the legitimacy of fandom, amplifying the message and creating public discourse.
Historically, tifos have served as powerful tools of protest worldwide. During the Arab Spring, Ultras Ahlawy, the fan group of Egypt's Al Ahly, played a key role in mobilizing protests. In Europe, fans have used tifos to oppose the commercialization of football and address historical memory, while in 2019, FC St Pauli fans in Germany condemned racism and xenophobia.
The trend of using football stadiums for political expression is not new in Kolkata. In 2020, fan groups used matches to voice opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), displaying messages promoting unity, secularism, and constitutional values. In 2024, supporters of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal united to protest against the rape and murder of a junior doctor.
Despite the growing prominence of these protests, reactions among fans are mixed. Some believe that football should remain separate from politics, while others respect the right to express themselves, especially on issues of identity and language.
