CM Siddaramaiah on Bengaluru stampede: ‘50-60 people died in Kumbh Mela, did Karnataka govt criticise?'
Following the stampede near the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he would not justify the mishap by drawing comparisons with similar tragedies elsewhere, like in Kumbh Mela.
Speaking to the media, Siddaramaiah said that he did not criticise when several people lost their lives in a stampede at the Mahakumbh.
"Such incidents happened in so many places. I am not going to defend this by comparing it with them now by saying it happened here and there. In Kumbh Mela, 50-60 people died, I didn't criticise it," he said.
"If Congress criticises, then that is a different matter. Did I or the Karnataka government criticise?" CM Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government will also provide free treatment to the injured.
"A major tragedy occurred during the victory celebrations. It happened near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The government has announced a compensation of ₹ 10 lakh for the deceased. The government will provide free treatment to the injured," the CM said.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, CM Siddaramaiah said, "11 died and 33 were injured in the stampede. This tragedy should not have happened. The government expresses deep sorrow over this incident."
The Karnataka CM further asserted that he has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter.
"I don't want to defend this incident. Our government will not do politics on this. I have ordered a magisterial inquiry and given 15 days' time. People even broke the gates of the stadium. There was a stampede. No one expected such a huge crowd. The stadium has a capacity of only 35,000 people, but 2-3 lakh people came," CM Siddaramaiah said.
Fans in thousands gathered outside the Stadium in Bengaluru to catch a glimpse of their champion team.
RCB finally ended an 18-year wait for the coveted IPL trophy, defeating Punjab Kings by six wickets in the finals of IPL 2025, held on Tuesday at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as "absolutely heartrending".
In a statement by the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister extended his thoughts to the families of the deceased while praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
"The mishap in Bengaluru is absolutely heartrending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those who are injured have a speedy recovery: PM Narendra Modi," PMO stated on X. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
22 minutes ago
- United News of India
PM Modi announces additional aid for families hit by cross-border shelling
Katra (J&K), June 6 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced additional financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for families whose houses were severely damaged due to cross-border shelling from Pakistan. Addressing a public gathering here, the Prime Minister stated that households suffering severe damage due to cross-border firing will now receive Rs 2 lakh, while those with partially damaged homes will be granted Rs 1 lakh. This assistance is in addition to the support already provided earlier by the government, an official statement said. He emphasised the government's commitment to the well-being of those affected, noting that families who lost loved ones in the shelling have already received appointment letters for government aid. Recognising the hardship faced by over 2,000 families impacted by the shelling, PM Modi reaffirmed the government's solidarity with the victims, saying, 'Their pain is the nation's pain.' Stating that the government recognises border residents as the nation's frontline protectors, Modi said, 'Over the past decade, unprecedented efforts have been made to strengthen development and security in border districts'. Highlighting key initiatives, Modi said that approximately 10,000 new bunkers have been constructed, which played a critical role in safeguarding lives during the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. He also announced the formation of two new border battalions for the Jammu and Kashmir division, further enhancing security operations in the region. Additionally, he said two dedicated women battalions have also been successfully established, reinforcing defence capabilities and empowering women in the armed forces. Emphasising the significant infrastructure development taking place in India's international border regions, particularly in challenging terrains, the Prime Minister announced that hundreds of crores are being invested to improve connectivity and security. 'The Kathua-Jammu Highway is being upgraded into a six-lane expressway, while the Akhnoor-Poonch Highway is undergoing widening to facilitate smoother travel. Under the Vibrant Village Programme, development initiatives in border villages have been accelerated, ensuring better living conditions and opportunities for residents,' the Prime Minister said. He mentioned that 400 villages in Jammu and Kashmir, previously lacking all-weather connectivity, are now being linked with 1,800 km of newly constructed roads. He announced allocation of over Rs 4,200 crore for these infrastructure projects, reinforcing economic growth and regional development in border areas. Earlier, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra. UNI VBH RBE PRS
United News of India
23 minutes ago
- United News of India
Modi did not contradict Trump on his claim of making him surrender: Rahul
Rajgir, June 06 (UNI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said US President Donald Trump had claimed eleven times that he forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to surrender during operation Sindoor, but he did not contradict it and remained silent. Gandhi, while addressing a conference organised by his party here, said that PM Modi had the habit of surrender. Trump had claimed eleven times that he forced Modi to surrender during the operation Sindoor carried out recently, but the latter did not contradict and remained silent on the issue, he remarked. Congress leader also took potshots at Modi on his decision to conduct a caste census, saying he was also reluctant on the issue. When he exerted slight pressure on Modi on the caste census, he surrendered and announced the decision of his government to conduct a national-level caste census, he added. PM Modi had rejected the demand of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for a national-level caste census in 2021, when he had called on him, leading an all-party delegation from the state. After his refusal, Nitish Kumar's government had conducted a caste census in Bihar from its resources and named it as caste survey, as carrying out any sort of census is the right of the Central government. Even in parliament on several occasions and during its replies in the Supreme Court in several cases, the Narendra Modi government had expressed its opinion against the caste census in the country. UNI KKS BD
Hans India
23 minutes ago
- Hans India
India's global engagement needs rethink, says Congress
New Delhi: Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, in a press briefing on Friday, expressed concern over what she described as a decline in India's diplomatic engagement and visibility on the global stage. She specifically referred to India's absence from major forums like the G7, despite being among the world's largest economies. Shrinate cited then-US President Barack Obama's 2010 remarks in praise of then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and questioned why countries like Canada now appear hesitant to extend invitations to India for the G7. She interpreted this as a sign of waning diplomatic influence. She also referred to public statements made by US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly claimed to have brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The Congress spokesperson further said that similar assertions are now being echoed by Russia. She urged the Indian government to respond clearly to these claims, either by refuting them or explaining the context if they are accurate. "The nation deserves clarity," she said, stressing the importance of transparency in foreign affairs. Shrinate also voiced apprehensions over what she viewed as a preference for image-building over substantive diplomacy. She warned against focusing too heavily on symbolic gestures or visual narratives. She, in this context, suggested that a more strategic and consistent foreign policy is needed to safeguard national interests. She expressed concern over "the evolving global perception" of Pakistan. Institutions like the IMF, the ADB, and the World Bank, she noted, have extended significant financial support to Pakistan, while the country has also assumed roles in global bodies such as the UN's Counter-Terrorism Committee. In her view, this is at odds with India's long-standing position on terrorism and reflects a missed opportunity for stronger international advocacy. Commenting on recent international outreach by Indian parliamentary delegations, Shrinate questioned the effectiveness of such efforts. She pointed out that many of these visits resulted in meetings with lower-level officials or Indian diaspora groups, rather than influential foreign leaders or decision-makers. "We need to assess what tangible outcomes these visits have achieved," she remarked. Turning to domestic matters with international implications, Shrinate referred to the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals. She questioned the timing of the Prime Minister's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that it came more as part of a ceremonial event than a response to the tragedy. She expressed disappointment that "national security concerns in sensitive regions are not always met with prompt or visible engagement". Shrinate also commented on alleged shifts in India's traditional alliances, pointing to what she called Russia's recent cooperation with Pakistan. She warned that regional dynamics are changing, with China and Pakistan strengthening ties—a development, she said, that has long been cautioned against by opposition leaders. When asked about Congress MPs, including Shashi Tharoor, who participated in foreign delegations and later described the visits as positive, Shrinate acknowledged the complexities of international diplomacy. She explained that while representatives may exercise restraint abroad, there remains a responsibility to ask hard questions back home. She cited Kuwait's recent decision to lift a 19-year visa ban on Pakistan shortly after an Indian delegation's visit, suggesting this raised legitimate questions about diplomatic impact. A key concern she highlighted was the apparent reluctance to hold comprehensive discussions in Parliament on foreign policy matters, while simultaneously prioritising engagement with Indian communities abroad. "There seems to be a disconnect between domestic accountability and international outreach," she said. The Congress spokesperson stressed the need for a more grounded and outcome-driven foreign policy approach. In her view, the current trajectory risks sidelining India's voice in global conversations, despite its growing economic stature.
