Deputy CM cites stampedes in BJP-ruled states as political blame game erupts over Chinnaswamy Stadium deaths
Background: The RCB Victory Stampede
On June 4, during a celebration event for Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) maiden IPL title at Bengaluru’s MA Chinnaswamy Stadium, a stampede killed 11 people and injured 56 others. Two weeks later, a government report blamed RCB for holding the event without consulting police or following safety protocols.
The incident has now turned into a full-blown political controversy in the Karnataka Assembly.
BJP Demands Resignation, Congress Pushes Back
On Friday, the BJP demanded Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar resign, holding them responsible for the tragedy. In response, both leaders hit back, saying the opposition is politicizing a tragic incident.
DK Shivakumar: “Stampedes not limited to one state”
Defending the government, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar addressed the Assembly and said:
“Stampedes are not limited to a state or a country. They have happened across the world. In the last 10 years, more than 20 stampedes have occurred.”
He highlighted similar incidents in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh:
- Maha Kumbh (January 2024) – 30 people killed
- Hathras religious gathering (July 2024) – 124 dead, including children
Shivakumar emphasized the need to see this tragedy in a broader context, rather than turning it into a political weapon.
Responding to Personal Allegations
The Deputy CM also addressed criticism over his whereabouts during the stampede:
“My grandson had come from London. He wanted to eat out, so we went to a restaurant. I only learned about the incident when MLA AS Ponnanna informed me.”
He expressed deep sorrow:
“I was shocked. I was hurt. I have never seen such a bitter incident in my political career. Once I got the details, I called the Home Minister, and we rushed to the hospital to meet the families.”
CM Siddaramaiah on RCB, Public Sentiment
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said public excitement over RCB’s victory played a major role in the chaos:
“RCB won after 18 years. There were only 1-2 local players, but people still saw it as Karnataka’s win. There was mass hysteria… celebrations lasted all night.”
He said he had been invited to felicitate players but chose not to attend:
“I refused because the team didn’t represent Karnataka in its true sense.”
Government Report: RCB to Blame
The state investigation report, published two weeks after the stampede, held RCB management responsible for:
- Not informing police in advance about the scale of the event
- Failing to submit a formal application for permission
- Ignoring crowd control protocols
- Sending a last-minute update about a “victory parade,” which was rejected by police
Home Minister: New Crowd Control Bill Introduced
Home Minister G Parameshwara said in the Assembly:
“We suspended police officials. We got an inquiry done by retired Justice John Michael D’Cunha. But we can’t bring back lives. Now, we’ve brought the Crowd Management Bill.”
Key points from the government’s new move:
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be enforced for large public gatherings
- Police and civic bodies will have clear responsibility for planning, safety, and crowd control
- The bill is designed to prevent future tragedies
Political Fallout: Suspensions & Blame Game
- Four police officers, including Commissioner B Dayanand, were suspended.
- BJP accused Congress of shifting blame from ministers to the police.
- The officers’ suspensions were later revoked, but none were reinstated to their original posts.
While both sides continue to trade accusations, the tragic loss of 11 lives has exposed serious lapses in crowd control, communication, and event planning. The Karnataka government’s introduction of the Crowd Management Bill may be a step in the right direction, but the public will be watching closely to ensure real accountability and safety reforms follow.
