A day after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted their first Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, thousands of fans showed up at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for a victory celebration. They came wearing red, chanting RCB slogans, The city was buzzing from its long-awaited IPL title win, and fans just wanted to be part of the moment.
But what unfolded outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 was far from the celebration people had imagined. A crowd grew too large, too fast. Police caught was off guard. People started falling. At least 11 died and dozens were left injured in a stampede.
The event was supposed to bring fans closer to the team. Instead, it exposed just how unprepared the system was to handle a turnout of this scale. Videos from the scene showed the sheer weight of the crowd pressing against gates with screams cutting through what should have been a festival-like atmosphere.
Also read: After Chinnaswamy Chaos, BCCI Planning to Rethink Post-IPL Celebrations
Government Will Look Into Shifting the Cricket Stadium: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah After Bengaluru Stampede
Responding to the uproar, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government is considering a major move of shifting the cricket stadium in Bengaluru to a different location. The idea of moving Chinnaswamy situated into the heart of Bengaluru would have sounded far-fetched until now. But after this, it’s officially on the table.
"The government will look into shifting the cricket stadium to another location. Such an unpleasant incident should not happen under any government. Personally, this incident has hurt me and the government," Siddaramaiah said as quoted.
The fallout has already begun. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary and treasurer have resigned. RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale was arrested. Three staff members of DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited, an event management company, were also taken into custody.
As Siddaramaiah confirmed, five police officers have been suspended.
"Five police officers have been suspended in this case. The intelligence chief and the chief minister's political secretary have been replaced."
Still, the Chief Minister defended the administration’s actions, saying the situation was not due to negligence of the government.
"The case has been taken seriously and appropriate action has been taken. The government has not done anything wrong. This incident is saddening, but no misstep was taken by the administration. Legal action has been taken against those found guilty, so there is no question of embarrassment for the government," he stated.
Criticism from the opposition has been loud, with demands for accountability at the top. Siddaramaiah, in turn, pointed to what he called selective outrage.
"Did the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh resign when people died during the Kumbh Mela? Did the BJP and JDS demand his resignation then?" Siddaramaiah concluded.
Aftermath of Chinnaswamy Stampede
For the thousands who came hoping to be part of history, the memories of that day are likely to remain blurred with excitement, frustration, panic and fear all packed into one summer afternoon.
Mass resignations have begun. Investigation has been launched. But it's still not easy to comprehend what happened there.
Whether the stadium stays or moves, the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy gates has already changed the way the city looks at crowd gatherings.
