Bengaluru stampede: BCCI geese blame, CM Siddaramaiah cites Kumbh Mela and blames RCB followers, BJP targets Karnataka govt

Quickly after the information of the stampede broke out within the Congress-ruled Karnataka, chief minister Siddaramaiah expressed his deep condolences and introduced ₹10 lakh compensation for the victims’ kin.

“This tragedy shouldn’t have occurred. The federal government expresses deep sorrow over this incident,” he added.

‘I didn’t criticise Maha Kumbh stampede’

Ordering a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy with a deadline of 15 days, Siddaramaiah stated the incident shouldn’t be politicised, “Such incidents occurred in lots of locations, 50-60 individuals died in Kumbh Mela. I didn’t criticise. If the Congress criticises, that may be a totally different matter. Did I or the Karnataka authorities criticise?”

Karnataka CM was speaking concerning the current stampede at Maha Kumbh mela within the BJP-ruled state of Uttar Pradesh that claimed thelives of no less than 30 individuals.

Additionally learn | Bengaluru stampede: Karnataka excessive courtroom takes suo motu cognisance, to listen to matter at present

Explaining what led to the stampede at Chinaswamy stadium, he stated, “The match occurred final night (Tuesday), and at present (Wednesday) this occasion was organised by the cricket affiliation. Nobody anticipated such an enormous crowd. The stadium has a capability of solely 35,000 individuals, however 2-3 lakh individuals got here.”

“There have been over 1.5 lakh individuals on the gates, banging and ultimately breaking by way of in some locations. The try and enter the stadium resulted within the stampede.”

He added, “There are small gates. The individuals entered by way of the gates. They’ve additionally damaged the gates, so a stampede has taken place. Prima facie, it appears to be like like that. I’m not saying that nothing has occurred. The inquiry will convey out info.”

Opposition slams Congress over ‘state-orchestrated’ catastrophe

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticised the Congress-led state authorities, accusing it of turning the celebration right into a political spectacle with out sufficient preparation.

“The stampede was utterly avoidable. It was state-orchestrated,” Surya stated, alleging that an open invitation by CM Siddaramaiah on social media triggered an uncontrollable flood of followers with out correct crowd and safety measures in place.

Additionally learn | Bengaluru stampede: What led to lethal crush at RCB’s IPL victory occasion?

“You can’t blame RCB, Virat Kohli, and even the followers. If there’s anybody accountable, it’s the CM and the deputy CM who wished to hog undeserving limelight and made this a complete household operate of the Congress leaders,” information company ANI quoted Surya as saying. 

He questioned the worth of the magisterial inquiry, “Hold this 15-day report your self in your own home. Who cares? Will this 15-day magisterial report assist these households?”

Surya additionally appealed to the RCB administration: “It’s the ethical duty of RCB to additionally generously compensate the victims of this stampede. RCB and RCB’s celebrity cricketers have made lots of of crores from the love of followers… now it’s time for RCB to even be by way of misery and problem with the followers and their households.”

Union minister HD Kumaraswamy blamed deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, “The individual answerable for this tragedy should be instantly sacked from the cupboard,” he stated in New Delhi.

Slamming the Congress-led administration, Kumaraswamy stated, “We have now a chief minister who is totally inactive. He has no management over the deputy CM… The Congress authorities is being run by conceited fools.”

BCCI distances itself

The Board of Management for Cricket in India, in the meantime, denied any position in organising the occasion. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal stated, “We had no data that such an occasion was being deliberate… If such occasions are deliberate sooner or later, then correct preparations ought to be made.”

“We categorical condolences to the households of the deceased. A title win was to be celebrated; somewhat, the lack of lives is being mourned,” Dhumal added.

Rejecting accusations, he requested, “How can we be held accountable? Have you ever seen any IPL officers on the gate, managing the gang?”

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia added, “There have been some lapses. The BCCI has no position in it. Nevertheless it’s a lesson to study.”

Police say crowd was unmanageable

The Bengaluru police conceded that they had been overwhelmed. “The gang was past our management,” a senior officer advised HT on situation of anonymity. 

Police stated round 50,000 individuals packed a one-kilometre radius close to the stadium. Slender gates and mass stress triggered the lethal crush. “We needed to resort to a lathi cost at some factors… the stress of the gang brought on the tragedy,” stated the officer.

Followers had began gathering as early as afternoon, climbing bushes, scaling automobiles and partitions, and screaming “RCB! RCB!” in desperation for a glimpse of the gamers. Whereas some had tickets, others with free passes reportedly pressured their manner in, contributing to the chaos.

Congress blames BJP for doing politics

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar promised an in depth probe and claimed, “We wish to know the info and provides a transparent message.”

He additionally countered the BJP’s assault, “BJP is doing politics… We’re very sorry for the incident. We are going to work out a greater resolution sooner or later.” The state cancelled all authorities occasions, together with World Setting Day celebrations, in a present of mourning.

Reiterating Siddaramaiah’s sentiments, he stated, “We by no means anticipated such an enormous crowd. The stadium’s capability is 35,000, however over 3 lakh individuals had been there. Gates have been damaged. We apologise for this incident.”

Nevertheless, he defended the police pressure’s efforts, saying, “I ought to praise my Law enforcement officials… they guided us to not convey a automobile procession from the airport… we had been very cautious at Vidhana Soudha too.”

Bengaluru stampede timeline

The tragedy unfolded quickly on Wednesday afternoon as 1000’s of RCB followers thronged the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the crew’s IPL victory celebration. 

• By 3 PM, the stadium had reached full capability and gates had been shut, leaving tens of 1000’s exterior. 
• As crowds surged at key entry factors, chaos broke out and a stampede ensued round 3:30 PM, leaving a number of trampled. 
• In the meantime, over a lakh individuals gathered at Vidhana Soudha the place the crew was felicitated by the chief minister. 
• The RCB squad reached the stadium by 5:30 PM however left quickly after as information of the deaths started to emerge. 
• By night, the toll had risen to 11 useless and 47 injured, with emergency responders deployed in full pressure.