RCB victory parade ends in deadly stampede, sparks political firestorm in Karnataka

What began as a moment of sporting euphoria ended in heartbreak on June 4, after a deadly stampede near gate 3 of Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations claimed at least 11 lives and injured 33 others.

The tragedy has ignited a political storm, with the Opposition launching scathing attacks on the Congress-led Karnataka government over what it calls a complete collapse in planning and crowd control.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “absolutely heartrending,” extending condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, described the stampede as a “painful reminder” that no celebration is worth a human life. “Every safety protocol must be reviewed and strictly enforced. Lives must always come first,” he said, urging the state government to offer full support to affected families.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, visibly shaken, announced ₹10 lakh ex gratia for the families of the deceased and ordered a magisterial inquiry. “A moment of joy has been eclipsed by sorrow,” he said, blaming the disaster on the unexpected turnout. “Over two lakh people turned up — far exceeding our estimates,” he claimed.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar admitted the crowd was “uncontrollable” and apologized for not being able to hold an open-bus parade, citing last-minute police concerns over public safety.

But the Opposition wasn't buying those explanations.

The BJP, in a scathing post on X, accused the government of “criminal negligence,” claiming no proper arrangements were made despite clear warnings. “While innocent people died, the CM and DCM were busy shooting reels and hogging limelight with cricketers,” the party said.

BJP state president BY Vijayendra slammed the administration for failing to prepare for a turnout of this scale. “Mumbai hosted a World Cup parade without a single mishap. Bengaluru failed because the Congress prioritized photo-ops over planning,” he charged, calling for a judicial inquiry.

JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy echoed the sentiment, calling the tragedy a direct result of “lack of planning and precaution.” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi added: “Celebration is one thing. But without basic crowd management, this was a disaster waiting to happen.”

The criticism wasn’t limited to politicians. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia called the incident “deeply unfortunate,” citing serious lapses in planning. “This is the dark side of mass popularity. Safety should have been non-negotiable,” he said, contrasting the tragedy with smooth celebrations in Mumbai and Kolkata.

RCB had planned a victory parade and a felicitation ceremony at Vidhana Soudha after clinching their maiden IPL title against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night. The team arrived in Bengaluru on Wednesday afternoon, where thousands had already gathered around Vidhana Soudha and Chinnaswamy Stadium.

While the felicitation passed without incident, the crowd near the stadium surged uncontrollably. With no visible barricades or emergency coordination in place, panic and stampede ensued.

As families mourned their loved ones, and injured fans recovered in hospitals, the tragedy cast a grim shadow over what should have been a historic celebration. Questions around accountability, event management, and political responsibility now loom large over the Karnataka administration.