Stadium stampede: Opposition demands CBI probe and resignations of CM, DCM and Home Minister
'If you have a heart and sensibility to feel the pain of the grieving parents who lost their children in the stampede, all three of you should tender a public apology to them and own up responsibility for the tragedy,' said Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, who initiated a debate on the incident, in the Assembly.
'This tragedy, among other things, had exposed the government's failure in crowd management and public safety protocol,' he alleged, and demanded the constitution of a Legislature House Committee to evolve appropriate rules to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Timeline of events
Ridiculing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his claims that he was not aware of the stampede deaths while participating in a programme to felicitate RCB team members on the steps of Vidhana Soudha, Mr. Ashok presented timeline of events corroborated through messages exchanged by police officers on walkie-talkies that indicated that five deaths had taken place even before the felicitation programme started, and that a total of nine deaths had taken place before the programme concluded.
He wondered how the Chief Minister could be kept in the dark about such a tragedy, as all the police officials near him had walkie-talkies and the messages about deaths were being flashed continuously.
Propriety questioned
He questioned the propriety of felicitating the RCB team in front of Vidhana Soudha, as it is a private franchise-owned team. Even during the felicitation programme that had the presence of the Governor and the Chief Minister, protocols had been violated as the dignitaries were made to wait for 30 minutes for the players, he alleged. Also, more than 300 members were on the stage, though the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) had issued an order confining the number of dignitaries to a maximum of 30, he said.
He alleged that Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and the then DPAR Secretary G. Satyavathi (now retired) had ignored the information provided by DCP-rank officer Karibasavanna Gowda on the shortage of police personnel to control the crowd. Both Ms. Rajneesh and Ms. Satyavathi had not briefed the Chief Minister on the objections raised by Mr. Gowda on holding the felicitation on the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha, Mr. Ashok said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
32 minutes ago
- Hans India
Protests continue in Tumakuru dist over Rajanna's ouster from cabinet
Tumakuru: The removal of KN Rajanna from the Karnataka cabinet has triggered widespread anger among his supporters across Tumakuru district. Congress's decision has drawn sharp criticism from Rajanna's loyalists in Kunigal, Madhugiri, and Koratagere, with hundreds arrived in Tumakuru to register their protest. Supporters from various taluks gathered in front of the Town Hall, carrying flex banners with Rajanna's photographs and shouting slogans against the government's move. They later took out a march to the Deputy Commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The political tension comes a day after a high drama in Madhugiri, where one supporter allegedly attempted suicide over Rajanna's removal. Anticipating unrest, police in Tumakuru deployed tight security to prevent any untoward incidents. AHINDA (minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) leaders have also expressed their displeasure. In a closed-door meeting at a private hotel in Tumakuru, leaders accused the Congress high command of conspiring against Rajanna. Prasannananda Swamiji of the Rajanahalli Math in Yadgir alleged that a deliberate plot was hatched to oust the minister. Meanwhile, the BJP has seized on the controversy. Former minister CN Ashwath Narayan remarked, 'You told the truth about Rahul Gandhi now go ahead and reveal whose conspiracy this was.' Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra has also demanded a clear explanation from the the Congress, leaders are maintaining that the decision was made by the high command and is final, while avoiding direct comments on the reasons. The move has not only stirred political drama but also put the Siddaramaiah government under pressure, with protests on one side and opposition attacks on the other.
Hans India
32 minutes ago
- Hans India
Obtain e-pass online to watch I-Day celebrations: BBMP
Bengaluru: For the first time, the general public can obtain e-pass online to watch the 79th Independence Day celebrations, said Maheshwara Rao, Chief Commissioner, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday. Rao, along with the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru, Seemanth Kumar Singh, was briefing the media here about how Bengaluru is preparing for the state-level ceremony to be held on August 15 at Field Marshal Manik Shah Parade Ground, Cubbon Road, Bengaluru. 'Earlier invitations were distributed by government officials to special invitees and to those involved in the ceremony. Now, people can obtain an e-pass from the Seva Sindhu website ( added the commissioner. He said a live telecast of the programme is also available on Doordarshan. According to him, the viewing gallery for the public at the venue has been expanded to allow more people to watch the programme in person. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hoist the Indian flag, following which he will inspect the parade in an open jeep and receive the guard of honour. Siddaramaiah will also deliver an Independence Day message. On ground security checks are already underway, said the Police Commissioner. 'Police have been deployed on guard duty at the ground for the last 15 days. They are also checking all the hotels, lodges and rest houses for any suspicious activities,' said Singh. CCTV cameras and baggage scanners, Door Frame Metal Detector and Hand-Held Metal Detector have been installed around the ground to closely monitor all the events, he added. He also appealed to those with green passes (e-passes) to arrive at Gate no. 05 from the Manipal Centre side via Cubbon Road. He urged people not to carry any unnecessary luggage or items with them. Even essential items like mobile phones, water bottles, helmets, cameras, radios and umbrellas are best left behind to facilitate quick entry into the venue, he added. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Traffic Police has appealed to the public to use public transport and metro service as much as possible, due to the lack of space for parking vehicles at Manik Shah Parade Ground and nearby areas. Parking will not be allowed at Central Street (from Anil Kumble Circle to Shivajinagar Bus Stand), Cubbon Road (from CTO Circle to K R Road and Cubbon Road Junction) and MG Road, from Anil Kumble Circle to Trinity Circle), added a Traffic Police advisory issued on Wednesday.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Stray dog debate in Karnataka assembly: Attacks on students spark row; CM backs humane measures, BJP seeks relocation
BENGALURU: "Treating stray dogs as a nuisance to be removed is not governance - it is cruelty," CM Siddaramaiah posted on 'X' Wednesday, rejecting demands to take strays off the streets while stressing on humane measures like sterilisation, vaccination, and community care. "Fear-driven measures only create more suffering, not safety," he pointed out. BJP leaders, however, pushed for Karnataka to follow the Supreme Court's directive to Delhi-NCR authorities to relocate strays to shelters. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru Senior BJP member Suresh Kumar cited 18,000 dog-bite cases in Bengaluru over the past six months and 18 rabies infections, urging that the order be extended to Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru and other cities. SC order must be followed in K'taka: Min Raising the issue soon after question hour, JD(S) floor leader CB Suresh Babu said: "If all state corporations were to take similar action, it would protect children." Babu also criticised Bengaluru's civic agency's Rs 2.9 crore plan to feed about 4,000 street dogs. "Instead of the corporation serving biryani to dogs, let authorities take measures to control their menace," he said. The debate erupted after two college students were attacked by strays at Jnanabharathi campus. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Always Put a Plastic Bottle on Your Tires when Parked, Here's Why Cleverst Undo CN Ashwath Narayan said the legislature complex should be cleared of strays, adding, "The CM has tweeted expressing sympathy... but the govt should take action. SC directions should be implemented in Karnataka too." Several legislators pointed out both Vidhana Soudha and Legislators' Home fall under the speaker's jurisdiction. UT Khader said, "Some legislators want the dogs to be around, some don't..." In Feb, Khader had announced plans to build shelters and manage them with NGO support, while clarifying the animals would not be shifted elsewhere. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
