The Partition of India and Liberation of Bangladesh saw millions of refugees enter the land of West Bengal. Living behind the riches, friends and families, teared up by religious and military violence, the refugees had to start afresh in alien lands. East Bengal football club in Kolkata was the voice of the millions of incoming migrants.
East Bengal football club never had it easy. Despite winning the Calcutta Football League 2nd Division in 1924, the club was not allowed in the premier division. The IFA in British times only allowed 2 Indian clubs into the top division. A meeting was held and nine British clubs approved their inclusion. Ironically, the only two Indian clubs, Mohun Bagan and Aryan voted against their inclusion. The football club was remnants of the anti-establishment, anti-fascist and anti-racist values. The club grew over the years as the torchbearer of the rights and dignity of the migrants and the non-elitist Bengalis in Kolkata.
There are seldom instances when sports in India is encapsulated by politics, ethnicity, religion and race. East Bengal FC is one of the finest examples how a strong community can shape sports. The Ultras have been at the forefront of that community movement on socio-ethnic boundaries.
The first instance when Ultras acted as a proper community movement was in the 2017-18 season. The football club being plagued by mismanagement, lack of transparency, corruption and fund crunch. The Ultras barged into the stadium and unveiled a banner, exposing the lack of transparency at the football club. Irked by the banner, the club officials sent armed cops to take down the banner. However, united by camaraderie and commitment for the football club, the fans stood strong and refused to take off the banner.
The Ultras have changed the paradigm of the East Bengal fanbase. What seemed like a taunt is now being taken up on the sleeves as a proud identity. The native population, which forms the bulk of the Mohun Bagan fanbase have been taken out for a toss by subtle humour and wit of the East Bengal Ultras. Starting with the Bhanu tifo, which united East Bengal fans from multiple generations to take a jib at the rivals with a historic banter reference. The Ultras, known for their radical and anti-establishment ideals have also barged on larger issues impacting the migrant population.
The rise of anti-refugee politics coupled by political taunt from the rivals on legislations and laws has acted as a deterrent against East Bengal fans. The Ultras, rather than being demotivated have taken it to themselves to use it as symbol of resistance and pride. Tifos have been unfurled in successive games mocking the legislations aimed at politically and socially ghettoising them. A call for standing against the taunts from the rivals and similar laws have put East Bengal Ultras on a higher pedestal than an another football fans group.
The Ultras have unified the East Bengal fanbase. They been working fearlessly towards the radicalization and unification of the East Bengal community and has changed the mentality of the fan base. It has brought fans from all walks of life, from all generations and communities to be proud of their roots and not think twice before resisting any suppression of their voices.