In a heartbreaking aftermath of RCB’s historic victory, the triumphant celebration turned into mourning for 11 families in Bengaluru. As the masses surged around Chinnaswamy Stadium and the legislative assembly, their loss of control revealed administrative negligence. An overwhelming number gathered to join in on the celebration for RCB's first IPL trophy in 18 years. The excitement was unparalleled, yet so was the chaos. Safety measures collapsed, and as the dam of moderation broke, it resulted in tragedy. Countless were trampled, injured, and many remain critically injured.
The disaster unfolded as IPL champions RCB players and leaders were lost in celebration. Outside the stadium, where people desperately needed CPR, the cheers for the IPL cup echoed. The beloved players held the trophy high at a time when the public needed lifelines. This was not just a stampede, but a stark revealing of administrative failure.
Confirmed reports reveal that 11 people lost their lives in the stampede. Six bodies were received at Bowring Hospital, including the youth such as 13-year-old Divyanshi, 26-year-old Diya, and 21-year-old Shravan. At Vydehi Hospital, four bodies were noted, including 20-year-old Bhoomika and 19-year-old Sahana. Also, 19-year-old Chinmayi lost his life at Manipal Hospital. Eighteen injured remain hospitalized.
Who is responsible for these deaths in the stampede?
The 11 individuals who lost their lives were merely cricket enthusiasts and loyal RCB fans. They never imagined their devotion would claim lives. Even as young as 13-year-old Divyanshi and as passionate as 21-year-old Shravan, they came for a glimpse of their stars. Their tears for the stars didn’t affect the players, as applause continued and gestures flew. Could one argue the oblivion of these star players? If not aware, why wasn’t it disclosed? Why did the celebration persist amidst a calamity?
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, who was present to receive Virat Kohli, claimed the celebration was brief. Yet, consider the inhumanity—if applause and cheers echoed even for a minute past this tragedy, what could be more heartless? If the government itself leads such merrymaking, putting sports popularity above all else, then what expectations shall we have from the crowds? When leaders celebrate this way, they fan the flames of public madness.
As the government questions the organizers, the organizers question the administration, the families of the departed are caught amid this blame game. Each responsible party claims ignorance.
Source: aajtak
Did the government gamble with security for popularity?
Considering whether the players were made aware of the devastation outside—was the government equally oblivious? Why did Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar enter the stadium to lift the cup? If cricket’s popularity was the trump card, was it played at the expense of order? As chaos reigned, when they should’ve supported those suffering, they instead lifted the cup. This lack of preparedness traces back to the night prior, yet authorities didn't react. The administration was ill-equipped for the raging, disorderly surge and implemented no efficient control to limit number of attendees to the venue's capacity. If not prepared to manage the crowd, why throw an open invite?
Source: aajtak
Security crumbles amid chaotic crowds
The fervor turned into mayhem as people danced and disrupted traffic, even standing on trucks demanding their horns' blare—an unpredictable frenzy. Through a night filled with celebrations, morning came, yet the zeal persisted. And with news of stadium celebrations, the streets brimmed yet again.
During RCB’s victory parade, vehicular access around Chinnaswamy Stadium was restricted. Consequently, most fans arrived via metro, leading to congestion at MG Road and Cubbon Park stations, where any mishap seemed impending. But calamity narrowly escaped here as they climbed trees when stopped from entering the stadium. This event starkly illustrates that devoid of humane consideration, any victorious celebration can turn hazardous.
How did the stampede occur?
Reports suggest a throng of RCB supporters gathered outside the stadium. Initially, a victory parade with the trophy was planned but canceled due to the crowd. Instead, masses converged near the stadium and legislative assembly. The crowd undeniably exceeded capacity, standing over a channel’s slab that caved under pressure, causing havoc and stampede. Additionally, inadequate security: despite over 5,000 personnel, they failed to contain the chaos. Contributing was light rain, prompting people to scatter and triggering the stampede.
