India vs Bangladesh: According to Robi, the incident happened just before the lunch break on Day 1. (Express Photo by Pratyush Raj)Bangladesh super fan Tiger Robi has claimed he was assaulted by a mob of around 15 people on Day 1 of the second Test match between India and Bangladesh at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. However, the UP police have refuted Robi’s claim, saying he collapsed because of dehydration and wasn’t assaulted by anyone.
According to Robi, the incident happened just before the lunch break. “A section of the crowd has been abusing me since the morning. Once lunch was called I just started shouting the names of Najmul Shanto and Mominul Haque. Few of them started shoving me around, tried to tear my mascot (Tiger) and my flag, and when I resisted they started hitting me,” he told The Indian Express.
However, Abhishek Pandey, ACP Kalyanpur said: “He collapsed due to dehydration. Police and the medical staff rushed to help him immediately and was taken to the hospital. He is now feeling better. The speculation about the assault is completely wrong. He was not hit by any fan.”
Robi was later carried off by the police out of the stadium and was taken to a hospital.
Robi was the lone fan standing on the Balcony, which was closed for spectators due to the safety concerns.
“A cop told me not to stand at that block. I was there only because I was scared. They were hurling abuses since morning. I have watched enough Bollywood movies to understand the abuses,” he said.
“They were relentless since the morning. Is supporting your team, your country a crime?,” added Robi.
This is not the first time Bangladesh fans have been beaten up by Indian fans. During the India vs Bangladesh 2023 ODI World Cup match in Pune, Shoaib Ali Bukhari, known as ‘Tiger Shoaib’ was targeted by the Indian fans. His Tiger mascot was also torn apart.
Ahead of the Kanpur Test, security at the stadium was tightened after the Hindu Mahasabha threatened to protest during the game against “atrocities” on Hindus in Bangladesh.
“The police are alert about the situation in Bangladesh. Tight security arrangements have been made for the match. We are taking inputs from the intelligence agencies. If anyone tries to protest, action will be taken accordingly,” Kanpur Police Commissioner Harish Chander had said.
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