D K Shivakumar says cricket matches at Chinnaswamy stadium allowed to protect Bengaluru's image

The Cabinet is said to have decided to allow matches of the upcoming IPL season at the Chinnaswamy stadium only after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) complies with safety and security requirements.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said the state government had, in order to safeguard Bengaluru's reputation, permitted cricket matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The Cabinet is said to have decided to allow matches of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season at the Chinnaswamy stadium only after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) complies with safety and security requirements.

According to sources, the Cabinet placed the onus on the KSCA to implement recommendations of the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission’s report.

All the matches at the statdium have been suspended since June 4, after a stampede during the victory celebration of Royal Challengers’ Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy Stadium left 11 people dead.

“We have decided about the IPL matches. We are positive. We have asked our Home Minister G Parameshwara to have a meeting with them (Karnataka State Cricket Association authorities). Parameshwara will discuss with the Cricket Association. The Home Minister will deal with it,” Shivakumar told reporters here.

He underlined that the KSCA authorities must adhere to the recommendations of the Justice John Michael D’Cunha Commission, which was formed by the Karnataka government to probe the stampede.

The Commission concluded that the “design and structure” of the stadium were “unsuitable and unsafe” for mass gatherings. Citing “systematic limitations”, the Commission had “strongly” recommended relocating events where large crowds are expected to venues that are "better suited."

Shivakumar added that he was very optimistic about lifting the restrictions on holding matches at the stadium. “We are very positive. We want all the IPL matches to continue. We don’t want the image of Bengaluru to be spoilt though whatever happened (stampede) was not right,” he clarified.

(With DHNS inputs)