CM Siddaramaiah Under Fire as RCB Victory Parade Turns Deadly with 30 Dead

“Crowd Far Exceeded Expectations”: Karnataka CM Faces Backlash After RCB Stampede Kills 30

Anand Yadav 3 weeks agoLast Updated: June 9, 2025

6,974 2 minutes read

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Reviewed & Published by HH News Desk

Bengaluru, June 4 — What should have been a euphoric evening to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s historic IPL 2025 win has turned into one of Karnataka’s darkest days in recent memory. At least 30 lives were lost and over 110 fans injured in a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah admitting late in the night that the crowd “far exceeded expectations.”

But that one line has only inflamed public anger.

A Disaster Written in Mismanagement

According to police estimates, over 2 lakh fans gathered near the stadium for the RCB victory parade — a turnout not seen in Bengaluru since the 1996 India-Pakistan Test frenzy. However, unlike other large-scale events, this one had no crowd zoning, no ticketing, and minimal barricading.

The CM’s remark acknowledging the overwhelming crowd size is now being viewed not as empathy — but as an indirect admission of governance failure.

“This was not an unforeseen tragedy,” said a former DCP familiar with IPL security. “The CM saying the turnout exceeded expectations only confirms that the state didn’t prepare for a parade of this magnitude.”

Stampede at Gate 2: 5:10 PM

The stampede reportedly began when thousands surged toward Gate 2, triggered by a false rumour that the players were exiting from there. Barricades collapsed, people were crushed against railings, and many fell underfoot as the crowd pushed forward.

With ambulances delayed due to traffic and blocked access roads, local auto-rickshaw drivers stepped in to transport victims. Hospitals like Bowring, Victoria, and St. Martha’s were soon overwhelmed.

Doctors confirmed compressive asphyxia and blunt force trauma as the main causes of death. Among the deceased are residents from Shivajinagar, Indiranagar, and Electronic City, including a 14-year-old boy from JP Nagar.

“Why Was There No Crowd Cap?”

While CM Siddaramaiah has ordered a magisterial inquiry and announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each deceased victim’s family, questions are multiplying:

Why wasn’t a larger venue like Palace Grounds considered?
Why were there no staggered timings or zonal access controls?
Why did the government issue no public advisories despite knowing the turnout could be massive?

BJP’s Amit Malviya labelled the event “a criminal failure of basic governance,” blaming the Congress-led state for chasing “photo-ops” instead of prioritizing public safety. “This isn’t an act of God,” he said on social media. “This was administrative negligence.”

RCB in Damage Control

Inside Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB players including Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Other members, were being felicitated, unaware of the tragedy outside. While they posed with the IPL 2025 trophy, visuals of the injured being carried on scooter footrests were already circulating.

The team has since cancelled all public celebrations, including a Cubbon Park parade slated for Friday. Kohli, reportedly shaken, has asked to meet families of the deceased privately.

However, the initial silence from RCB and continuation of celebrations for nearly an hour post-stampede have drawn sharp fan backlash. Social media is now flooded with grief and criticism under hashtags like #RCBStampede and #JusticeForFans.

A Trophy Now Shadowed by Tragedy

In his official statement, CM Siddaramaiah said, “We mourn deeply. The love for the team was overwhelming, but the situation went out of control.” Yet that sentiment is unlikely to cool public rage.

The crowd came to celebrate a sporting dream. They left with trauma, unanswered questions, and a deepening sense that Bengaluru failed its own people.

The IPL trophy may be home — but so is grief.

Source: This article is based on verified updates from Reuters, eyewitness testimonies, and direct inputs from Bowring, Victoria, and St. Martha’s Hospital staff.

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Anand Yadav

Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald

Anand Yadav is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, with a daily focus on delivering engaging sports news and analysis. Currently studying at Lucknow University, Anand is passionate about sports journalism and committed to providing well-researched insights into game dynamics, player performances, and the broader impact of sports. He consistently strives to keep our audience informed and entertained with his coverage.