A major announcement regarding the upcoming Indian Super League season was unexpectedly derailed on Tuesday after Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya committed a notable verbal slip, misnaming two of Indian football's most storied institutions.
The Announcement and the Awkward Moment
Mandaviya was addressing the media in Kolkata alongside All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey and officials from various clubs. The press conference was convened to confirm a key detail for fans: the ISL 2025–26 season will kick off on February 14.
However, the focus swiftly shifted from the schedule to the minister's stumble. While referring to Kolkata's historic football rivals, Mandaviya mispronounced both club names, calling them "Mohun Began" and "East Began." Following the brief slip, there was an awkward pause where the minister sought assistance before quickly correcting himself. Despite the swift recovery, the moment had already been captured by cameras.
Social Media Erupts and Political Firestorm Ignites
By Wednesday morning, video clips of the incident had spread widely across social media platforms, sparking a wave of reactions ranging from amused disbelief to sharp criticism and political mockery.
For countless football fans in Bengal and beyond, the error was far from trivial. "For football fans in Bengal, this is not just a harmless mistake. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are more than clubs. They are century-old institutions and emotional lifelines. A sports minister should at least know the names of such legendary teams," wrote X user Subhadip Dutta, capturing a prevalent sentiment.
The political dimension escalated quickly. Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose mocked the incident with biting sarcasm, posting, "Mohun ‘baingan', East ‘baingan' indeed. Bengal voters will make baingan bharta of bhajapa." Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh questioned how a Union Sports Minister could falter on names that, he claimed, even casual followers of the sport know by heart.
In a strongly-worded statement, the TMC accused what it termed "Bangla-birodhi forces" (anti-Bengal forces) of showing contempt for the state's deep-rooted football culture. "Football runs in Bengal's blood. We live it and breathe it," the statement read, adding that such sentiments would never be understood by "bohiragotos" (outsiders) who view the state with disdain.
The BJP's Counter and the Lingering Aftermath
The Bharatiya Janata Party swiftly hit back at the criticism. BJP's IT cell head, Amit Malviya, accused the Trinamool Congress of indulging in cheap theatrics to deflect attention from what he described as the state's mismanagement of football events, including the controversial no-show by Lionel Messi during a recent match in Kolkata.
While the political sparring continues, the core announcement about the ISL 2025-26 season starting on February 14 remains confirmed. Yet, the minister's brief linguistic trip has undoubtedly overshadowed the official news, highlighting the intense cultural and emotional weight carried by the names East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the Indian sporting landscape.
