It is profit first, life and safety second
The tragic deaths in a stampede in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025, of 11 people who were part of a huge crowd that had gathered near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate the victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), after RCB's first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025, is a stark reminder of three issues. They are our national sense of disproportionate enthusiasm for victory; of government missionaries' lack of preparedness to contain crowd movement, and of people's sense of immortality. Despite knowing full well that such gatherings end as physically unsafe situations, we see people rush madly, throwing caution to the winds. Social media in particular and 24X7 visual media houses play a great role in adding much hype to these events. It is almost as if missing such an opportunity is akin to foregoing the most important part in one's life.
The aim is profits
Cricket, especially in India, has become a great money-spinning industry. Hence, those in charge do everything possible to draw in large crowds. The risk that such gatherings pose is known. Every such event results in crowds of people who are far more in number than the capacity of the venues. More footfalls spell more profits for every one in the business.
It is common knowledge that the licences and the necessary permissions for hosting such events are not granted by merely adhering to the rules and the regulations on paper. Much of these are linked to the 'showering of bounties' on those in power. Here is an example that happened during this IPL season. In a reported case during an RCB versus Chennai Super Kings match, in early May 2025, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the family of an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer fought with the family of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer over free seating in the VIP gallery. The case resulted in a first information report being filed. While the many uncomfortable galleries are filled up in no time by those who pay for them, the VIP enclosures, which have the best seats and stadium and field views, are generally occupied by those who wield power and enjoy the freebies.
An industry which is most lucrative, with millions made in profits, offers paltry sums of money as compensation/solatium for those who lost their life in the stampede in Bengaluru. No amount of money can ever compensate the loss for the families concerned, and it only goes to show the scant respect and value for a common person's life.
It is time that whenever there is a gathering for an event that is governed by economic considerations and motives of profit, there is also provision made for a suitable caution deposit. With the said deposit money, the state ought to ensure the security and the safety of spectators or attendees.
When a small hall is granted a licence, the mandatory requirements include the number of entrance and exit points, the seating arrangements, a doctor on call, public conveniences, appropriate audio/visual systems and even parking facilities. Therefore, it is shocking that there is scant observance of safety requirements when very large crowds gather in closed/open air stadiums. Compliance with the rules and regulations is very poor in many such instances.
Scant safety
The concept of public safety in public spaces is practically absent. For example, food fairs are held in an unsafe manner and one finds open wiring running all over the floor. There is no safety when stoves are lit and there is large-scale food preparation that are done under combustible camping structures. There is no sense of fear and safety measures are 'more honoured in the breach, than the observance'. In an incident in Chennai, there were reports of several visitors at an amusement park stranded for hours on a giant wheel after the device experienced technical problems. They had to be rescued by the fire services department.
We, as a country, have no value for life. Most of our roads have no pedestrian walkways. There are no tracks marked for slow-moving vehicles. Motor cars and bullock carts traverse along the same roads in a fight for space. There is no respect for the pedestrian, who in turn faces grave danger in the form of speeding automobiles, broken pavements and aggressive stray animals.
The 11 dead in a stampede or the thousands of persons who die on our roads are just cold statistics for us. We have learnt to brush aside such tragic incidents by blaming it on karma. There are no lessons learnt. There is no accountability. Some officials are suspended while others are transferred. These are sure to be revoked at a later date.
Introduce a culture of audits
The need is to have a detailed and scientific study of crowd management by experts and execute their findings in an earnest way. A country with a population that has hit 146.39 crore cannot afford to falter on this issue. Without such an audit, it cannot call itself a civilised and advanced country and a nation that is safe for all its citizens. Every life is precious and there must be a dedication to ensure the safety of all.
Let us not lose life and limb by promoting the commerce of and the gains for the rich. Those who are hurt are mortals who fight battles every day for their daily bread. It is unfortunate that this too will pass with no lessons learnt. The rich will keep getting richer at the cost of the struggling masses if we do not act now for a better and safer tomorrow.
Sudha Ramalingam is a human rights activist and Advocate in the Madras High Court
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