New Delhi: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara has said that all facts surrounding the Bengaluru stampede, which claimed lives of 11 fans during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations, would emerge once the ongoing probe concludes. His statement comes amid growing anger and unanswered questions from the grieving families of victims, who are demanding to know who authorised the event that turned deadly for their loved ones.
“Everything will be known after investigation — who said what, what statements were given, and by whom,” Parameshwara told reporters on Sunday. He added that a detailed picture would only be possible once the commission concludes its inquiry.
Celebrations kill 11 innocents
The stampede occurred on June 4 outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during a “hastily organised” celebration honouring Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL campaign. Lakhs of fans reportedly rushed towards entry gates after last-minute changes were announced, resulting in the deadly crush. According to reports, over three lakh fans were at the venue while the stadium’s capacity is little over 30 thousand.
Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar confirmed that a judicial commission had been formed to probe the incident but refrained from direct comment. “The commission is conducting an inquiry. The home minister will reply,” he said.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah, under mounting pressure from the opposition coalition of BJP and JD(S), has insisted his government acted swiftly, suspending five police officers and replacing senior officials including the intelligence chief and his own political secretary. He has also proposed relocating the stadium to avoid such incidents in future. However, he has rejected demands for his resignation, calling them politically motivated.
Families unconvinced by official responses
The families of the victims, meanwhile, are unconvinced by official responses. “Who gave permission for the celebration? What was the need to organise a felicitation function in the middle of the city with no proper planning?” asked Ashwini UL, mother of 16-year-old Divyanshi, who died in the stampede. She was speaking to the Times of India.
Other bereaved families echoed similar sentiments, questioning the timing and haphazard execution of the event. “Even if they give Rs 25 crore, my brother will not come back,” said Shashidhar KT, brother of dental student Shravan KT, one of the deceased, to the Times of India. “There was no proper planning, no crowd management, and no accountability.”
Lakshman BT, whose son Bhoomik died in the tragedy, said: “He went to the stadium only because of the celebration, which was held in a hurry. All 11 families’ curse will impact the ministers.”
