Chinnaswamy stadium stampede: Opposition slams govt rush for ‘photo opportunity’

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot take part in the felicitation programme for RCB players organised in front of Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday.

Credit: DH photo/Ranju P

Bengaluru: The Opposition BJP and JD(S) tore into the ruling Congress for “reckless mismanagement” leading to the death of at least 11 people due to a stampede near the Chinnaswamy stadium here during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebration. 

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka demanded Home Minister G Parameshwara’s resignation and compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the families of those dead. 

“The government, aiming to claim some credit for the achievement of RCB, rushed to hold a congratulatory ceremony without proper preparation, planning and sufficient time for the police, which led to the disaster,” leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said. 

Ashoka, a former home minister, pointed out that police personnel across the city were on duty all night on Tuesday as fans hit the streets after RCB lifted the IPL trophy.

“To have the police provide security for such a large-scale event the next morning without even the slightest awareness that it will be difficult is a clear failure. It is irresponsible on the part of the government,” he said. 

Ashoka and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra visited Bowring Hospital to meet persons who were injured in the stampede. 

“Mumbai hosted a massive T20 World Cup parade without a single stampede. So why did Bengaluru fail? Because in Karnataka, Congress cares more about publicity than public safety,” he said, demanding a judicial probe into the tragedy. 

The state BJP chief said the government could have preempted the crowd and fixed another date for the celebrations. 

Senior BJP leader C T Ravi described the stampede as “government-sponsored murder”. 

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) said “lack of proper planning” and “complete failure to take precautionary measures” were primary reasons for the tragedy.

“The Congress government must take full responsibility for this disaster,” he said. 

Fans climb up the gate of the High Court and trees to get a glimpse of their favourite players. 

Fans climb up the gate of the High Court and trees to get a glimpse of their favourite players. 

Roads leading to the Chinnaswamy stadium were gridlocked. DH photo/P S Krishnakumar

I’d have told CM to put off fete: Bhaskar Rao Former Bengaluru police commissioner Bhaskar Rao blamed “unplanned” and “hurried” celebrations for the stampede. “As a former city top cop I’d have told CM to postpone the victory march and felicitations” Rao said adding that Tuesday night’s crowd frenzy was enough warning to allow emotions to calm down”. Rao also dubbed Home Minister G Parameshwara as “incompetent”.