Royal Challengers' homecoming ends on a tragic note

Bengaluru: For close to three hours on a Wednesday afternoon, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium looked something out of a postcard. The surroundings were filled with unconditional love, passion and happiness. The two parallel roads opposite to the main gate (Gate 12) were jam packed in hues of red, black and blue. 

While the fans, who had already entered the stadium, waited for the team bus to arrive from the Vidhana Soudha following a brief felicitation ceremony, they were greeted to some music by 'The Raghu Dixit Project' which performed as part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory celebrations. Even the rain gods couldn't dampen the fans' spirits.

But those in the safe confines of the stadium, had little idea about the tragedy that had unfolded just on the periphery of the iconic structure. 

As thousands of fans tried desperately to get inside the stadium to have a glimpse of their favourite players, a stampede occurred resulting in several deaths and injuries.        

Just when one thought the celebrations may not continue given the tragic incidents, the organisers went ahead with the event as players addressed the fans and took a lap of the ground with blaring music and fire works in the background.

The celebrations, however, appeared to end abruptly. A scheduled press conference by RCB Director Mo Bobat, Head Coach Andy Flower and skipper Rajat Patidar was cancelled.

Perhaps it was a nudge from IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal that led to the event getting cut-short.     

"We spoke to the management when we got to know about the situation and they assured that they will finish the ceremony quickly. This is definitely sad and tragic. RCB officials assured me that they will wind up the celebrations now," Dhumal told NDTV. 

BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia also came hard on organisers while suggesting lapses on their part.

"It is very unfortunate. The organisers should have planned it better. My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. I wish early recovery of the injured," Saikia said. "When one organises a victory celebration of this magnitude, proper precautions, safety and security measures need to be taken. There have been some lapses somewhere. After such a glorious ending to the IPL, this has been an anti-climax."