Tragic Stampede at IPL Celebration: NHRC Member Calls for Accountability
Devastating Incident During IPL Celebrations
In New Delhi, following a tragic stampede that resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals during the Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL victory celebrations in Bengaluru, Priyank Kanoongo, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), expressed his profound sorrow and commitment to ensuring accountability.
Kanoongo took to social media platform X to share his thoughts: "The loss of innocent lives in the stampede during the IPL victory celebrations in Karnataka is heartbreaking. We are taking this incident seriously, and those responsible will be held accountable after a thorough investigation. I urge citizens to report any information regarding the injured or deceased directly to me via email, and to assist the victims. It is our collective responsibility to ensure justice for them."
The tragic event unfolded outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, where an estimated crowd of over 200,000 gathered to celebrate RCB's inaugural IPL title win.
This overwhelming turnout far exceeded the stadium's official capacity of 35,000, resulting in chaos and a deadly stampede near the main entrance.
The Karnataka government has confirmed that 11 individuals, primarily young boys and girls, lost their lives, while 33 others sustained injuries, all of whom are now reported to be stable.
Later that evening, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the incident as a "significant tragedy" and visited the injured at Bowring and Vaidehi hospitals.
"Around 100,000 people congregated in front of Vidhana Soudha. The Chinnaswamy Stadium can accommodate 35,000, yet we saw a turnout of 200,000 to 300,000. This was unexpected," he stated.
Among the deceased, the majority were young individuals. The government has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for each family of the deceased, while the injured will receive complimentary medical treatment.
Siddaramaiah emphasized that the situation was unforeseen and assured that a magisterial inquiry would determine if there were any planning or security oversights. The findings are anticipated within 15 days.
When pressed by reporters about whether his comments exonerated the administration, Siddaramaiah responded firmly: "The media should refrain from asking questions akin to an opposition party... I am not interested in politicizing this matter. Let’s await the investigation's results."
The incident has sparked significant criticism from opposition parties, particularly the BJP, regarding alleged administrative shortcomings. However, the Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to accountability rather than political maneuvering.