Two Football teams and clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have been arch enemies and their fans, eternal foes! Yet there has been a lot of fun, entertainment and frolic whenever these two clubs play each other.
Evolution of This Historical Rivalry
When Bangals (Bengalis from Bangladesh former East Bengal) were thrown away after partition in 1971 , West Bengal became their ‘Ghati’(chosen place). This large influx of immigrants upset the apple cart of the original inhabitants or the demons- “the Ghoti’s” and thus started a friction between these two groups. As a result, of their ‘peaceful’ coexistence, East Bengal vs. Mohun Bagan happened; the beginning of a great movement that has continued to the present day. The rest is history! Each football club fiercely represents the distinct groups of Bengalis. I hope you haven’t confused Ghati with Ghoti !!! If not then continue reading ….. 
You Need to Be Safe from their Supporters
To know from when East Bengal Vs Mohun Bagan Rivalry started, you need to hold your breath and poke your nose into Bengal Aandarmahal (household). You will meet a far worse fate at the hands of Podi Pishi by praising Mohun Bagan in her East Bengal loyalist house than at the hands of a dacoit or criminal. 
You Can Change History
You can get hold of one of those nerds or Bong Intellectuals. They may opine that history is the subjective interpretation of those in power. Yeah, they are right. Cold War never started at 1947. It started with the rivalry of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan!!
League Shield Won By Mohun Bagan 1954
It is a matter of Respect and Honour
Being a supporter of East Bengal or the Mohun Bagan is as ingrained as your DNA. One’s loyalty to its football club is defined by the family you are born into. It’s a matter of honour and patriotism. Changing sides (no documented fact that it ever has) will surely lead to being disowned and disinherited by your fathers and forefathers!! 
Even a non-believer turns religious for a day
Winning is everything and seeing your club loose can make even grown men cry. It is for this reason that even an atheist will perform yagnas and call on Maa Durga to bless him team with victory. These matches offer ‘illuminations’, like Bhagat Singh never died or he may have had a resurrection. Or, going by past life regression trends, he is very much there with his patriotism, just oblivious of his past life identity! Even you are illuminated about religion and it’s far reaching attributes, when the ‘football’ is worshipped and Yajna is performed poking Maa Durga to bless the teams! 
You have your Distinct Identity
If the voter’s ID card is a sure shot road to identity, so is being a devotee of any of these two groups. Any Bong would guess if one is ‘ghoti or bangal’ from his supporting either of the two teams. Mohun Bagan is backed morally by the Ghotis as supporters while East Bengal has Bangals. Want your identity? You were born to be a fan! 
You Learn about Patriotism
There is no space for Gandhiji’s ‘ahimsa’ in an East Bengal –Mohun Bagan game. It’s war- at the ground, in the gallery and simultaneously in the neighbourhood. You can learn what patriotism is from them! Reminiscent of a Pakistan vs. India cricket match. 
East Bengal Vs Mohun Bagan Match in the Past= Non Cooperation Movement + Broken Heart
One goal from Mohun Bagan meant no dinner and no school next day in the ‘bangal’ house. When the IFA shield went to East Bengal in a 5-0 match, Mohun Bagan supporters formatted their memory and forgot the way to Kali bari. Many fans committed suicide, most wept. Life seemed meaningless, existence but a burden! The equation had gone down to personal war. Mitrapara’s Buchi would no more meet the bangal Tapash, no Prosen would share tiffin with Kallol and Haripada sir wouldn’t speak for days. (For one minute let us observe silence for the tattered, departed souls). Forget winning the Olympics, the Shield meant life! 
It changes your Life-forever
Things haven’t changed much in 2014. Galleries remain fully packed. Faces painted with coloured flags and placards declare the imminent battle. Phones remain switched off. Even, “love, we are no more in love, let’s get divorced’ sms goes unnoticed. 
Leads to Open War in Social Media
Told you, it’s about being patriotic. Let’s take a closer look at Face Book. “Paramesh East Bengal Basu” or “I proudly hate Mohun Bagan” page just proves it all. If Cricket unifies India, East Bengal vs. Mohun Bagan tears Bengal apart. Hearts get broken, Lord Yamraj is invoked million times, and mini swimming pools form. Husband wives fall out of love and suddenly discover themselves in different beds. When U.N.O is going berserk for world peace, it is denied to these poor souls. Mohun Bagan vs. East Bengal feud is eternal. 
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