Mohun Bagan I-League trophy parade: Social distancing norms flouted as fans celebrate Kolkata giants' feat
A section of Mohun Bagan fans flouted social distancing norms as the Kolkata giants decided to organise a victory parade in the wake of the pandemic after they were presented with the I-League trophy on Sunday.
In Short
- Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan received their I-League winners' trophy on Sunday
- Mohun Bagan organised a victory parade where fans flouted social distancing norms
- A section of Mohun Bagan fans facing flak on social media for 'irresponsible' celebration
Mohun Bagan fans have waited for this moment for more than 6 months but when they came out to the streets to celebrate the Kolkata giants' I-League triumph, there was no sign of physical distancing as the trophy parade created chaos in the city.
Mohun Bagan were presented with the I-League trophy on Sunday at a hotel in Kolkata in the presence of West Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar. Players and coaches who were present in the city joined the trophy presentation ceremony. Mohun Bagan also made sure other players and coaches who were not able to attend the ceremony in person were part of the event virtually on a video conference.
"As informed earlier that due to stringent guidelines and protocols laid down by the Central and State Government we had to shift the event to a closed confined place to adhere to the covid protocol guidelines," Mohun Bagan had said.
However, Mohun Bagan organised a trophy process from the hotel to the Mohun Bagan Athletic Club. The I-League trophy was put into a glass cascade in an open Jeep to bring it to the club after the trophy presentation ceremony.
However, fans were seen gathering in huge numbers during the victory parade, which was organised by the franchise. The scenes from the videos shared by Mohun Bagan were scary as it was apparent that Covid-19 protocols were being flouted.
Quite a few on social media expressed their concerns as fans were seen getting together in groups during the trophy tour on Sunday.
"Thank God there is no pandemic in India any more," a user wrote on social media, taking a jibe at the Mohun Bagan supporters. "How irresponsible is this from @atkmohunbaganfc and @Mohun_Bagan management? #Shame It's like #COVID19 never existed !!" another user commented.
COVID-19 rn https://t.co/AzbtH1uZei pic.twitter.com/Lk0ckuEvzj — –zymandias (@AFCAnsh) October 18, 2020
Corona: Am I a joke to you? https://t.co/qw05w5JFHz — #MBEszn (@DTrumpodi) October 18, 2020
Just not mad but also incredibly stupid considering the pandemic. Love the club but can't accept this utter nonsense! #COVIDIOTS https://t.co/DCAtMdri6o — Sudipto Ganguly (@Sudipto_Reuters) October 18, 2020
How irresponsible is this from @atkmohunbaganfc and @Mohun_Bagan management?#Shame
It's like #COVID19 never existed !! https://t.co/Sg6wo0H1OL — Vaibhav Tiwari (@VaitiArt) October 18, 2020
Notably, Mohun Bagan had clinched the I-League trophy with four rounds to spare when they clinched a 1-0 win over Aizawl on March 10.
Mohun Bagan will compete in the Indian Super League from the 2020-21 season. It merged with ATK and will foray into ISL as ATK Mohun-Bagan FC.