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Bengaluru Stampede: A special felicitation ceremony for all Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players by the Karnataka State Cricket Association at the Bengaluru Chinnaswamy Stadium went wrong after a stampede took place on Wednesday, triggering outrage in the state. The Celebration was organised a day after the RCB won its first IPL trophy, marking the end of the 18-year-long drought.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, 11 people were dead and 33 others were injured in a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium as thousands of RCB fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the team after their first-ever IPL win. The Opposition, BJP claimed that the government's haste to hold a victory rally without any prior preparations led to this tragedy.

Here Are The Five Major Developments In The Issue

1. What Led To Stampede

Karnataka CM Shivakumar claimed lakhs of people arrived around the stadium and the police can't resort to lathi-charge young cricket fans, hinting that unexpected large crowd caused the stampede. He appealed to the public to remain calm and not panic. He spoke to the Police Commissioner and other officials to ensure that the situation is under control. The Karnataka Dy CM will also be visiting the hospital later to assess the situation. The program was shortened and ended within 10 minutes due to the large crowd.

2. What Does The Government Say?

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "It is with great shock that we heard the news that several people lost their lives and others were seriously injured in a stampede during the RCB team's victory celebrations at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The pain of this tragedy has even erased the joy of victory. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace, and may those injured and those undergoing treatment in the hospital recover as soon as possible. My condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones."

ALSO READ: 'Young Crowd, Can’t Use Lathi On Them': DK Shivakumar On Bengaluru Stadium Stampede During RCB Victory Parade

3. Congress Govt Should Take Responsibility: BJP

Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra said the state government should take full responsibility for this tragedy. "When the whole country and Karnataka were celebrating RCB's victory, the state government's haste to hold a victory rally without any prior preparations led to this tragedy. The state government never cared about prior preparations. They were more interested in publicity. This resulted in the death of more than 11 people. Some people are in ICU. I spoke to some victims, but there was no police inside, no ambulance facility. The CM should send the matter for judicial investigation," he added." 

Responding to BJP's allegations, Shivakumar dismissed them, emphasising his focus on public safety, he stated, " They are there to allege and we are there to protect."

4. PM Modi Condoles RCB Fans' Deaths

PM Modi wrote on X, "The mishap in Bengaluru is absolutely heartrending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those who are injured have a speedy recovery."

5. BCCI's Statement On Tragedy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajeev Shukla said, "The government did stop the roadshow in order to avoid stampede or any such situation. But, it was not anticipated that a stampede would happen outside the stadium. Everybody should work together on the damage control."

ALSO READ: Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede: BCCI Officially Calls Out 'Mismanagement', Says 'RCB's IPL Winning Celebrations Should Have Been Planned Better'

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said it is most unfortunate and organisers should have planned RCB's IPL-winning celebrations better. Saikia further stated this is the negative side of popularity. People are crazy for their cricketers, he added. 

(With agencies inputs)