Bangladesh fan claims assault during India-Bangladesh Test in Kanpur; Police deny allegations
Kanpur: Tiger Robi, a well-known super fan of the Bangladesh cricket team, has alleged that he was assaulted by a group of around 15 people during the first day of the second Test match between India and Bangladesh at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. However, Uttar Pradesh police have dismissed his claims, attributing his condition to dehydration rather than an assault.
The incident reportedly occurred just before the lunch break. Robi stated that he had been subjected to verbal abuse from a section of the crowd since the morning. "As soon as lunch was called, I started chanting the names of Najmul Shanto and Mominul Haque. A few people began shoving me, tried to tear my Tiger mascot and my flag, and when I resisted, they started hitting me," Robi told The Indian Express.
In contrast, Abhishek Pandey, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kalyanpur, refuted the allegations. "He collapsed due to dehydration. The police and medical staff immediately rushed to assist him and took him to the hospital. He is now feeling better. The speculation about the assault is completely unfounded. He was not hit by any fan," said Pandey.
Robi was later escorted out of the stadium by the police and taken to a hospital for treatment.
At the time of the incident, Robi was the lone fan standing on a balcony area that had been closed to spectators due to safety concerns. "A cop told me not to stand there. I was there only because I was scared. They were hurling abuses since morning. I've watched enough Bollywood movies to understand the language," Robi explained.
The Bangladesh super fan questioned the behavior of the crowd, asking, "Is supporting your team, your country, a crime?"
This is not the first time that Bangladeshi fans have faced hostility during cricket matches in India. During the 2023 ODI World Cup match between India and Bangladesh in Pune, another fan, Shoaib Ali Bukhari, also known as ‘Tiger Shoaib,’ was allegedly targeted by Indian fans, with his Tiger mascot being torn apart.
The security at the Kanpur stadium had been heightened prior to the Test match after the Hindu Mahasabha threatened to protest during the game against what they called “atrocities” on Hindus in Bangladesh.
Kanpur Police Commissioner Harish Chander had earlier assured that the police were vigilant. "We are alert about the situation in Bangladesh. Tight security arrangements have been made for the match. We are taking inputs from intelligence agencies. If anyone tries to protest, action will be taken accordingly," he said.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
