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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Bhojshala case: Disputed structure built from remains of pre-existing temples, claims ASI
Indore (PTI): The ASI has told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that a massive structure dating back to the Paramara kings' rule existed at the disputed Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex, and the current structure was built from the remains of temples.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made the claim on Tuesday based on its 98-day scientific survey and over 2,000-page report.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex is protected by the ASI.
During the hearing before Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi of the HC's Indore bench, Additional Solicitor General Sunil Kumar Jain, representing the ASI, presented a detailed account of the scientific survey conducted two years ago at the complex.
Referring to the ASI's survey report, he said, "Retrieved architectural remains, sculptural fragments, large slabs of inscriptions with literary texts, Nagakarnika inscriptions on pillars, etc, suggest that a large structure associated with literary and educational activities existed at the site. Based on scientific investigations and archaeological remains recovered during the investigations, this pre-existing structure can be dated to the Paramara period."
It can be said that the existing structure was made from the parts of earlier temples, based on scientific investigations, survey and archaeological excavations conducted, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, sculptures, and inscriptions, art and sculptures, Jain said quoting the report.
Summarising the report, he also drew the court's attention to the fact that the archaeological study identifies that many architectural components, such as pillars and beams, were originally part of temple structures before being repurposed for a mosque.
"The evidence of this transition includes Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions that were damaged or hidden, alongside sculptures of deities and animals that were often mutilated or defaced," Jain contended.
The report also states that "all Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions are older than the Arabic and Persian inscriptions, indicating that users or engravers of the Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions occupied the place earlier".
In light of the Muslim side's earlier objections, the bench wanted to know why there were some discrepancies in the ASI's responses regarding the status of the disputed complex in the cases filed over the years.
The Additional Solicitor General argued that earlier studies of the complex involved only officials, while the current survey involved scientists and the use of advanced technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
The hearing in the Bhojshala case will continue on Wednesday.
The high court has been regularly hearing four petitions and one writ appeal regarding the religious nature of the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex since April 6.
