Karnataka BJP Leaders to Donate Salaries Following Tragic Stadium Incident
In the wake of a tragic stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka's opposition leader R. Ashok has announced that all BJP legislators will donate a month's salary to the victims' families. He has called for a special assembly session to address the incident and criticized the Congress government for neglecting safety protocols. Ashok demands accountability, including the resignations of key officials, and insists on a judicial inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The incident resulted in the deaths of eleven individuals and injuries to many others during a ceremony for the Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL victory.
| Jun 9, 2025, 13:36 IST
Opposition Leader Calls for Accountability After Tragedy
In a recent statement, Karnataka's opposition leader R. Ashok announced that all BJP legislators and MLCs from the state will contribute one month's salary to the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4. He emphasized the need for government accountability and requested a three-day special session of the assembly to discuss the tragedy, stating that a formal request will be sent to the assembly speaker and the chief minister. During a protest held in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Vidhana Soudha, he remarked, "The lives of 11 innocent students were lost, which is truly tragic. Members of the Congress party seemed to revel in this incident."
Allegations Against the Congress Government
Ashok accused the Congress government of ignoring police warnings, violating safety protocols, and prioritizing political agendas over public safety. He referenced a letter sent by the Vidhana Soudha police to the chief secretary prior to the June 4 event, asserting that law enforcement officials are responsible for maintaining order. He criticized the hastily organized event, claiming that safety measures were compromised and all warnings were disregarded. Furthermore, he demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, alleging that they continued with the event despite prior knowledge of potential fatalities. He stated that eight children had already died before the event commenced, yet it proceeded regardless. "These leaders have hearts of stone," he added.
Calls for Judicial Inquiry
Ashok also condemned the suspension of police officials following the incident and called for a judicial investigation. He noted that while three inquiries have been ordered, it remains unclear which one is legitimate. He insisted that an investigation under a High Court judge is essential. Ashok proposed that if the government is not at fault, it should provide compensation of ₹1 crore to the victims' families. The stampede outside Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in the deaths of eleven individuals and injuries to 56 others during a ceremony honoring the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for their first IPL title.