Bengaluru stampede: Indian cricket board says ‘no role’, state government should ‘take note’

In what should have been a night of celebration, Bengaluru was gripped by chaos and tragedy on June 4, 2025, when a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed at least 11 lives and injured more than 30 others. The deadly incident occurred during a public celebration organized to honour Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s historic Indian Premier League (IPL) victory—its first in 17 seasons. As emotions ran high among fans, a poorly managed crowd spiraled into a nightmare, raising serious concerns about public safety and accountability.

Celebration Turns to Chaos

Following RCB’s much-anticipated triumph in the IPL 2025 final, the city prepared for a grand celebration to welcome its champions home. Thousands of fans, many of whom had been following the team for over a decade, gathered outside the iconic stadium hours before the gates opened. Despite authorities expecting a large turnout, crowd control quickly deteriorated as the number of attendees far exceeded the anticipated crowd of one lakh. Estimates suggest over four lakh people showed up, overwhelming both police and security personnel.

As the gates remained closed longer than expected, sections of the crowd became restless. Eyewitnesses reported pushing, shouting, and eventually a surge that led to the collapse of barricades near Gate No. 3. In the ensuing panic, people fell over each other. The resulting stampede led to multiple casualties—some from suffocation, others from trampling.

BCCI: ‘No Role in the Event’

In the aftermath, as grief and outrage spread across the nation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a formal statement distancing itself from the incident. Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the board had no involvement in organizing the celebrations. “Our responsibility ended with the tournament. What happened in Bengaluru was completely under the jurisdiction of local authorities and the franchise,” Saikia stated.

The BCCI’s stance has sparked debate over the level of responsibility sports governing bodies should assume in events linked to their tournaments. While technically accurate, the statement has drawn criticism from some corners, who argue that a collaborative effort between franchises, the board, and state governments is essential for large-scale public events involving national emotions.

IPL Chairman Also Deflects Blame

IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal echoed similar sentiments. He maintained that the BCCI and IPL governing body were unaware of the exact details of the victory parade. “It was a local event organized by the franchise and local administration. We had no operational role in the event. It’s unfair to hold the board responsible,” Dhumal told reporters.

Though both officials expressed condolences and promised that safety protocols for future events would be reviewed, the broader concern remains—how could such a lapse in planning occur despite the predictable public excitement?

Political Blame Game Begins

The stampede has also become a flashpoint in Karnataka’s political discourse. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the Congress-led state government for gross mismanagement. Leaders accused the administration of failing to deploy adequate security forces and not using crowd barriers effectively.

In response, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar admitted that the crowd had swelled beyond expectations but denied negligence. “We were prepared for one lakh people, but over four lakh turned up. No amount of planning can fully account for such a crowd surge,” he said. Still, the public has been demanding accountability, not explanations.

RCB Responds with Grief and Solidarity

Royal Challengers Bengaluru released a heartfelt statement expressing grief over the loss of lives. The franchise’s management extended condolences to the families of the victims and announced financial aid to those affected. “What was meant to be a celebration turned into an unimaginable tragedy. We stand by the families and will support them through this difficult time,” the statement read.

Several players, including captain Faf du Plessis and star batter Virat Kohli, took to social media to share their sorrow. Kohli posted: “Heartbroken to hear about the loss of lives. This should never happen when people come together in celebration. My thoughts are with the families.”

What Went Wrong?

Experts in crowd management believe this incident could have been prevented. Key lapses included:

• Lack of pre-registration or entry passes to regulate crowd numbers.
• Poor communication about gate opening times and stadium capacity.
• Inadequate police deployment, given the magnitude of the event.
• Absence of emergency exits and crowd dispersal mechanisms.

While large-scale sporting celebrations are common worldwide, they require meticulous planning and execution. From traffic control to medical readiness, every aspect must be coordinated. Unfortunately, in this case, enthusiasm overtook logistics.

Will This Be a Turning Point?

As calls grow for a judicial probe into the incident, both cricketing authorities and the Karnataka government are under pressure to reform their event-handling protocols. The BCCI has hinted at drafting a new set of guidelines for future team celebrations, possibly mandating the presence of certified crowd management experts and limiting public access through online registration systems.

Meanwhile, RCB’s maiden title win—a moment that could have been remembered as a high point in Indian sports history—now shares space with mourning and regret.

Conclusion

The Bengaluru stampede is a stark reminder of how quickly celebration can turn into catastrophe when planning falls short. While the BCCI may not have had a direct hand in organizing the event, its future role in guiding franchises on public celebrations must evolve. Equally, state governments must treat such gatherings with the seriousness of a major public rally. Only then can fans celebrate their heroes without fear—and teams truly bask in the glory they have earned.