Karnataka’s Congress leadership faces mounting political pressure following a tragic stampede on 4 June outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, during celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory, where 11 people died and dozens were injured.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi have voiced strong criticism of the state government’s role in sanctioning the celebrations. Gandhi specifically urged the government to accept full responsibility, citing avoidable crowd control failures, and warned against treating human lives as expendable—unlike what he described as a lack of accountability in other states.
The Highland Court of Karnataka intervened on 10 June, demanding a sealed status report from the government by Thursday. The court’s scrutiny signals serious questions over administrative failings. Meanwhile, government leaders—including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar—were summoned by the Congress high command in Delhi. Sources reveal a stern admonition of the state unit, though ultimately a unified stance was adopted in public.
Opposition parties have intensified their calls for accountability. The BJP and JD criticised the state for focusing blame on police officials instead of ministerial leaders. BJP president BY Vijayendra, former chief HD Kumaraswamy, and others pressed for resignations and judicial inquiries, labelling the tragedy “government-manufactured”. Arguing that event planning was rushed, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi asserted that public safety had been neglected for political optics.
Conversely, state leaders have acknowledged shortcomings in crowd management. Shivakumar accepted full responsibility, while Minister Priyank Kharge admitted that planning inadequacies led to the tragedy. The government has promised corrective measures for future events. Authorities also confirm that police enforcement—including baton charges—escalated the chaos.
Meanwhile, broader political fallout is emerging. On 10 June, the Congress leadership directed Karnataka to undertake a fresh caste enumeration within 60–80 days. Though presented as part of broader state reforms, the census initiative was reportedly accelerated following the stampede affair and discussions with senior party leaders.
Investigative proceedings continue to unfold. A judicial inquiry is underway, overseen by the High Court, and a sealed-status report is due imminently. Additionally, bail hearings are scheduled in connection with the arrest of an RCB official, amid criminal negligence charges against multiple parties, including tournament organisers.
The political scrutiny has forced divergent responses. The Congress high command offered private rebukes yet reaffirmed support publicly. Critical voices from the opposition accuse the government of deflecting blame onto law enforcement. At the same time, government ministers have accepted administrative lapses and pledged reforms, even as judicial oversight tightens.
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