BCCI Secretary Addresses Tragic Stampede at RCB IPL Victory Celebration

Unfortunate Incident at Chinnaswamy Stadium

Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, described the stampede that occurred outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium during the IPL victory celebrations for RCB as 'very unfortunate.' He emphasized that improved planning could have averted this tragedy.

On Wednesday, the chaotic surge of fans resulted in the loss of at least 11 lives, with many others sustaining injuries as a large crowd gathered to celebrate RCB's historic IPL win after 18 years.

Condolences and Calls for Better Safety Measures

Saikia extended his condolences to the families affected by this incident and wished a swift recovery for those injured. He remarked, 'This is a negative aspect of popularity. Fans are incredibly passionate about their cricketers. The organizers should have executed better planning.' He highlighted the necessity for stringent safety protocols at such large events.

He noted that the tragic event transformed what should have been a celebratory occasion into a painful memory, stating, 'This has been an anti-climax following such a glorious IPL conclusion.'

Reflections on Past Celebrations

Saikia referenced previous IPL celebrations that were managed effectively, such as last year's event in Kolkata when KKR won, where no incidents occurred. He also mentioned the T20 World Cup victory celebration in Mumbai, which was attended by a massive crowd but was handled smoothly.

He praised the collaboration between the BCCI's security team and local authorities during the IPL final in Ahmedabad, where 120,000 spectators were present. Saikia noted that a dedicated team worked closely with district administration and law enforcement to ensure safety for all attendees.

Growing Concerns Over Event Management

Saikia's comments come amid rising concerns regarding the Karnataka government's preparedness and the overall management of the event, which has led to widespread criticism and a political blame game.