Eleven people died and over 50 were injured on 4 June outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium during victory festivities for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, prompting a fierce political row. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has described the tragedy as an “accident”, lamenting that opposition parties are seeking to score political points rather than accept administrative shortcomings.
Kharge drew parallels with the Kumbh Mela stampede in Uttar Pradesh and COVID‑19 deaths, asking whether any resignations had been demanded then. He noted that during the Kumbh over fifty pilgrims perished, yet no ministers resigned. Similarly, during the pandemic’s early peak and other disasters, no comparable demands arose. “If anything is intentional, then we will accordingly take steps. But this is an accident…it is definitely wrong and our leaders have apologised,” he asserted at a press event.
His comments follow Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s own deflection of accountability, in which he challenged calls for resignation by arguing that no one had stepped down following previous calamities such as the Kumbh stampede, a collapsed flyover killing 140, or the oxygen crisis in Chamarajanagar. The chief minister maintained the administration had played no direct role in the event’s organisation and described BJP criticisms as “purely political”.
Despite such defences, the Karnataka government has acknowledged administrative failings. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Minister Priyank Kharge admitted that planning had fallen short, with Shivakumar offering to “take full responsibility” and Priyank stating there were “lapses in planning”. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy also conceded intelligence and enforcement failures, highlighting that the event far exceeded the stadium’s capacity and that free passes had been distributed without formal police permission.
The BJP and JD have responded sharply, with leaders staging protests at Vidhan Soudha and demanding the resignations of Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara. They have accused the government of scapegoating police officers—three IPS officers were suspended and a fourth transferred—while absolving political leaders. JD leader HD Kumaraswamy called for a judicial probe headed by a sitting high court judge, asserting that neither minister had faced consequences.
Investigations into the disaster have been launched. The Karnataka High Court has sought a status report, and FIRs have named RCB organisers, the Karnataka State Cricket Association and DNA Entertainment for alleged criminal negligence. RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale was arrested on charges related to the event’s planning.
From a broader administrative standpoint, officials have defended their response. The government reports notifying police by late afternoon and claims emergency services arrived promptly. CM Siddaramaiah explained he was unaware of fatalities until late on 8 June, emphasising that no government directive had formally convened the outside celebration.
The debate has crystallised around accountability versus accident. While Congress leadership insists political culpability is misplaced, state ministers have acknowledged operational faults. Opposition voices are demanding leadership resignations and judicial investigations, seeking to convert administrative error into political liability. The investigations now underway, including a judicial commission and police inquiries, will determine whether negligence extends beyond planning gaps into criminal wrongdoing.
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