<p class="title">Through a social media campaign, a section of irate fans on Wednesday urged cricket legend Kapil Dev to boycott East Bengal's Foundation Day programme, alleging that the 100-year-old club engaged in "unethical and fraudulent" practices.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India's first World Cup-winning captain is slated to visit the red-and-gold camp to receive its highest honour, Bharat Gaurav, on Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The legendary all-rounder's East Bengal connection dates back to June 22, 1992, when he signed for the club and six days later played for 27 minutes as a substitute striker, in an exhibition match versus Mohun Bagan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rubbishing the social media trend, East Bengal's executive committee member Debabrata Sarkar, however, confirmed that Dev is slated to come as per original schedule.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"There's no change in plan. He's coming to receive the Bharat Gaurav," Sarkar told PTI.</p>.<p class="bodytext">On the eve of the Foundation Day celebrations, fans ran a campaign #KapilDevBoycottEB, citing East Bengal's contract rows with players Jobby Justin and Abinas Ruidas.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They also highlighted the possible pullout of their Bengaluru-based title sponsors Quess Corp.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Good @QuessConnect pull out. How long could they support such an unethical club like @EastBengalFc ruing #IndianFootball #KapildevBoycottEB," wrote a verified Twitter user who describes himself to be freelance cricket writer.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Another verified Twitter user, who describes himself as a senior manager of a social media group, cited the example of the club's recent contract row with Jobby Justin, and tweeted: "My heart feels for the footballer who had to go through such unethical practices by a 100 yrs club @eastbengalfc @therealkapildev #KapilDevBoycottEB."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Okay so now East Bengal is dragging @therealKapilDev into this dirt. They have no shame. @eastbengalfc grow some consciousness before thinking of calling the legend. #KapilDevBoycottEB," wrote another verified user.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We request #KapilDevBoycottEB it's been history for @eastbengalfc for fraudulent activities. @therealkapildev," tweeted another user, attaching the news story of Abinash Ruidas being released from the club after a bitter contract row in 2017. </p>
<p class="title">Through a social media campaign, a section of irate fans on Wednesday urged cricket legend Kapil Dev to boycott East Bengal's Foundation Day programme, alleging that the 100-year-old club engaged in "unethical and fraudulent" practices.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India's first World Cup-winning captain is slated to visit the red-and-gold camp to receive its highest honour, Bharat Gaurav, on Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The legendary all-rounder's East Bengal connection dates back to June 22, 1992, when he signed for the club and six days later played for 27 minutes as a substitute striker, in an exhibition match versus Mohun Bagan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rubbishing the social media trend, East Bengal's executive committee member Debabrata Sarkar, however, confirmed that Dev is slated to come as per original schedule.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"There's no change in plan. He's coming to receive the Bharat Gaurav," Sarkar told PTI.</p>.<p class="bodytext">On the eve of the Foundation Day celebrations, fans ran a campaign #KapilDevBoycottEB, citing East Bengal's contract rows with players Jobby Justin and Abinas Ruidas.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They also highlighted the possible pullout of their Bengaluru-based title sponsors Quess Corp.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Good @QuessConnect pull out. How long could they support such an unethical club like @EastBengalFc ruing #IndianFootball #KapildevBoycottEB," wrote a verified Twitter user who describes himself to be freelance cricket writer.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Another verified Twitter user, who describes himself as a senior manager of a social media group, cited the example of the club's recent contract row with Jobby Justin, and tweeted: "My heart feels for the footballer who had to go through such unethical practices by a 100 yrs club @eastbengalfc @therealkapildev #KapilDevBoycottEB."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Okay so now East Bengal is dragging @therealKapilDev into this dirt. They have no shame. @eastbengalfc grow some consciousness before thinking of calling the legend. #KapilDevBoycottEB," wrote another verified user.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We request #KapilDevBoycottEB it's been history for @eastbengalfc for fraudulent activities. @therealkapildev," tweeted another user, attaching the news story of Abinash Ruidas being released from the club after a bitter contract row in 2017. </p>