Manoj Tewari Critiques Planning After Bengaluru Stampede Tragedy

Manoj Tewari's Insights on the Tragic Incident

Manoj Tewari, a former cricketer and current TMC legislator, expressed that the tragic deaths outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium could have been prevented with better planning. His comments followed the confirmation of 11 fatalities and several injuries during the IPL trophy presentation for RCB. He criticized the organizers for hastily initiating the rally without considering the potential turnout of fans.

Tewari's Condemnation of the Incident

Tewari described the events as profoundly tragic, stating, "None of us could have anticipated such a disaster. Fans who gathered to celebrate never imagined they would lose their lives. While festivities occurred inside, lives were lost outside. Someone must be held accountable for this." He questioned whether the celebration could have been postponed by a day or two, suggesting that additional time would have allowed for better preparations. "You need to gauge the emotional response and the expected crowd size," he added.

Call for Responsibility and Better Leadership

Reflecting on past leadership, Tewari recalled how former Chief Minister Manohar Rao delayed celebrations for two days to ensure safety, emphasizing the importance of experienced leadership in preventing such tragedies. He lamented the lack of foresight in the current situation, stating, "Human life should always take precedence over celebrations. This incident reflects a failure of collective responsibility."

Possible Causes Behind the Stampede

Many fans arrived at the event expecting the usual excitement of a cricket match but were met with confusion regarding the event's organization. Mixed messages about the locations of Vidhana Soudha and the stadium led to crowds moving back and forth. Reports indicated that some police officers present were not fully briefed on the event's schedule. Despite a formal ceremony at Vidhana Soudha, the atmosphere at Kanteerava Stadium was chaotic. According to local reports, inadequate communication plans hindered ground staff from effectively directing the crowds.