Outrage as Karnataka CM's grandson, ministers' sons pose with RCB players as tragedy unfolded
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Bengaluru: Even as grief engulfed Bengaluru over the stadium stampede, outrage has erupted over images of VIP family members posing with cricketers at Vidhana Soudha on the very day of the tragedy.
Among those seen enjoying exclusive access were CM Siddaramaiah's grandson Dhawan Rakesh and housing minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan's son, Zaid. Both were spotted on the grand steps of the state secretariat, sharing photo ops with RCB stars, including Virat Kohli. The photo session, according to sources, was enabled with police facilitation. Dhawan was accompanied by JD(S) MLA from Hunsur, GD Harish Gowda, who also appeared in group pictures with the cricketers.
Photographs and videos of the moment, circulated widely on social media, have struck a raw nerve — particularly since these visuals emerged just as questions are being raised over crowd control and safety arrangements that failed to prevent the stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Netizens were quick to express outrage over what they called a "VIP-only fanfest" at a govt event. They took note of Karnataka Mahila Congress president Sowmya Reddy, daughter of senior minister Ramalinga Reddy, who was seen among those present at Soudha.
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"The same stairs where ministers posed for photos became the symbol of public neglect," one post read, summarising the mood online.
Adding to the political backlash, BJP leader R Ashoka posted Zaid's photos on X at the venue, calling it "a celebration of privilege, even as citizens died outside".
Sources confirmed that grandsons of other senior ministers, including those of social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa, were among the select few granted access to the team.
I warned CM against RCB parade: Aide Govindaraju
Senior Congress MLC K Govindaraju, who is the CM's political secretary and was seen prominently during felicitations to the RCB team at Vidhana Soudha Wednesday, has distanced himself from the decision to organise the mega event.
"I had advised the CM against holding a victory parade fearing it could lead to a catastrophe," Govindaraju told TOI a day after the tragedy.
"I was not happy about the govt getting involved in the celebrations since it wasn't the state or the national team which won the trophy. I'm the president of FIBA Asia and Karnataka Olympic Association. I've no interest in cricket. I haven't received any request from RCB or its owners," he said.
On speculation over his alleged role in influencing the govt to hold the event, Govindaraju said his proximity to the CM was being misread. "What has happened is unfortunate and the CM is devastated by the incident, though he wasn't part of the decision-making either," he added.
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