Saffron Flag, ai Shree Ram Slogan Add Political Twist to Kolkata Stadium Rampage

Kolkata: A video of a group of spectators running into the Salt Lake Stadium ground while waving a saffron flag and shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ during the rampage by furious fans of Argentine football icon Lionel Messi on Saturday, has added a political twist to the incident.

The video, a few seconds long, also showed the group members in a mood of celebration unlike others who vented their anger for failing to get a glimpse of Messi. Many of them were wearing Argentine jerseys. The Trinamul Congress attacked the BJP for its bid to tarnish the image of the state over the crisis.

It posted on its X handle: “Shame on you, @BJP4Bengal! The visuals from Yuva Bharati show a familiar pattern of provocation. Amid confusion and vandalism, saffron flags were waved and slogans were raised, deepening unrest instead of easing it. This repeated tendency to tarnish Bengal’s name in moments of crisis to create spectacle and defame the state stands fully exposed.”

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya took a swipe at the Trinamul Congress. “Stop shedding crocodile tears. This mismanagement and corruption are endemic to everything your government does. The TMC has launched a frontal attack on the emotions of the people of West Bengal and insulted every football lover,” he posted.

Malviya added, “You must immediately ensure accountability and secure the resignation of those responsible. An FIR should be filed against Arup Biswas and Sujit Bose. They must be removed from their positions without delay, and a complete refund must be ensured for the audience, who were forced to pay huge sums of money for this event.”