Bengaluru RCB Stampede: 11 Dead, BJP Demands CM Exit | Kumbh, Delhi Station Stampedes Ignored
Bengaluru RCB Victory Celebration Turns Tragic: 11 Dead in Stampede, Political Blame Game Erupts
In a devastating turn of events, a stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebration at Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium left 11 people dead and over 50 seriously injured. The massive celebration, supported by the Karnataka government and organized by the Karnataka State Cricket Association, was meant to be a moment of pride but turned into a horrifying tragedy due to alleged mismanagement, lack of crowd control, and absence of timely police intervention. Over 3 lakh people gathered near the stadium, which can only accommodate 35,000, overwhelming all safety mechanisms. Shockingly, no proper barricade planning was in place, and there was a glaring lack of senior police officials at the location. Most of the police force was reportedly deployed at Vidhana Soudha, where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar were busy felicitating the RCB team — just one kilometre away from where the disaster struck.
The absence of preventive measures, despite viral advisories on social media warning of massive crowd turnout, has raised serious questions about the Karnataka government’s preparedness and prioritization of public safety. This incident has not only triggered grief and anger among citizens but also unleashed a fierce political war. The BJP, led by national spokesperson Sambit Patra, came down heavily on the Congress-led Karnataka government, calling it a “government-manufactured stampede.” Patra criticized the Congress leaders for being more interested in PR events than saving lives and demanded the immediate resignation of both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Drawing parallels, Patra questioned why actor Allu Arjun was arrested over a crowd-related event, while top political leaders are walking free despite a higher death toll.
However, the BJP’s stance has sparked accusations of political hypocrisy. Critics have pointed out that similar tragedies in BJP-ruled states were met with silence and zero accountability. On January 29, 2025, a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh killed 30 people and injured 60. The cause? Broken barricades and lack of crowd control, just like in Bengaluru. Yet, CM Yogi Adityanath faced no calls for resignation. Likewise, on February 15, 2025, a railway stampede in New Delhi claimed 18 lives, including children, as passengers rushed platforms to attend the Maha Kumbh. No Railway Minister or Central BJP leader resigned or took moral responsibility.
The Bengaluru stampede has thus become more than a tragic incident — it has turned into a mirror reflecting political opportunism across party lines. Citizens are now demanding accountability from all political leaders, irrespective of party affiliation. Why were public safety warnings ignored? Why are resignations demanded only when the opposition is in power? Why did VIP celebrations continue even as people lost their lives just outside the venue? The tragedy highlights the urgent need for robust crowd management, responsible governance, and equal standards of accountability for all leaders — whether in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, or Delhi.
As families of the deceased grieve and the injured recover in hospitals, the nation watches as politics takes center stage over people’s lives. The tragedy demands more than blame — it demands justice, reform, and above all, compassion.
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