Slogans of ‘Remove ATK’ reached the membership tent of ATK Mohun Bagan on Saturday as loyal supporters of ATK Mohun Bagan as soon as once more vented their anger earlier than the membership’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Alleging that the historical past and legacy of their beloved century-old membership is being repeatedly tarnished, a lot of followers gathered in entrance of the Mohun Bagan Athletic Club beating drums and shouting on microphones. Another group protested in entrance of CESC House in Dharmatala, demanding that the prefix ‘ATK’ be eliminated and the ‘contentious’ third equipment not worn.
Towards the night a protest march with round 300 folks was additionally taken out from the Eden Gardens space in the direction of the Mohun Bagan membership tent.
As the group swelled, police was known as in to disperse the big gathering since there have been fears that the membership’s annual common assembly could be disrupted.
During the AGM, ATK Mohun Bagan director and Mohun Bagan secretary Srinjoy Bose was confronted with the identical question. In reply, he assured followers that each one their considerations might be resolved quickly. Comparing the MB-KGSPL cope with the erstwhile McDowell’s, Bose stated, “Going forward, whatever we win will be mentioned as trophies won by Mohun Bagan.”
Mohun Bagan legend and former captain Subrata Bhattacharya, who attended the assembly, was requested by the media on his views on the rising voices of discontent to which the 67-year-old stated, “I will have to look into the matter but if commentators are using the word ATK then that is their fault. The heritage of the club deserves respect.”
Fans level
Ever since ATK Mohun Bagan FC sported their third equipment in black, similarities between their jersey and erstwhile ATK’s away equipment in 2019 has been rife. Fans have alleged that resorting again to ‘a defunct club jersey’ is one other signal of disrespect in the direction of the 130-year-old Mohun Bagan whose main colors are inexperienced and maroon. ATKMB’s present away is a mix of white and maroon, one thing a variety of supporters love.
“Whenever there is an attempt to promote the brand of ATK we have protested. The black colour is not the issue but a close look will tell anybody that the design is the same as that of last season’s defending champions ATK – which is now defunct,” Tuhin Patel, one of many followers protesting at Dharmatala, final month had informed The Indian Express.
“We have no problem with the stakeholders. Our only problem is with repeated publicity of brand ATK. We as diehard supporters of the club feel that this is an insult to the legacy of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club – established in the year 1889 with more than 100 major title victories,” he added.
Noticeably, nearly all ISL matches, witnessed ‘fan wall’ individuals holding up ‘Remove ATK’ indicators.
Different sort of posters are hanging within the fan wall so, the admins of Fan wall take away one among our members however 5 are nonetheless there. #PleasureMohunBagan #Theresistance #RemoveATK#KhelaHobe #greenandmaroonwarriors pic.twitter.com/HU0gQVkwb6
— Green & Maroon Warriors (@gmwarriors_17) February 6, 2021
“Never compromise with their own mother club’s respect, legacy, and heritage. We tried our best to keep our promise and the fight will continue, let’s roar #RemoveATK together,” learn a press release from a Mariners fan web page.
