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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Lessons and questions from Bengaluru stampede tragedy that took 11 young lives
The stampede near Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed the lives of 11 young people, most of them under 30, stands as one of the city's most heartbreaking and wholly avoidable tragedies in recent memory. Known once as the "Pensioner's Paradise," Bengaluru now finds itself in national headlines for reasons both mundane and tragic. But this — a stampede linked to a cricket celebration — is something the city was neither prepared for nor accustomed to. When Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy after 18 years, it was a moment of uncontainable joy for fans. The team's signature chant, "Ee Sala Cup Namde", had finally turned into reality. The fatal events unfolded within less than 24 hours of RCB's title win. Without any clear coordination between the RCB management, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and the state government, an open-top bus parade was publicly announced by RCB early on June 4. The rally was set to start from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium — right through Bengaluru's busiest Central Business District. Also Read - Ramachandra Guha slams Karnataka government: 'Top cop made a scapegoat in Bengaluru tragedy' But here lies the first big question, 'Was the Bengaluru Police informed?". RCB's announcement of the 'Victory Parade' appeared to have caught city police off guard. Just two hours later, police issued a public statement saying the parade was cancelled. To add to the confusion, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar welcomed the RCB team at the airport and took them to Vidhana Soudha, further fueling assumptions that celebrations were still on. Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, present with her husband Virat Kohli, even posted videos of the massive crowd chasing the team bus, calling the experience 'unbelievable.' Also Read - Karnataka CM's political secretary K Govindaraj sacked amid Bengaluru stampede outrage
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Express View on Bengaluru stampede: 11 too many
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced an inquiry into the stampede that claimed 11 lives and left more than 40 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans injured Wednesday. If the probe has to fix accountability for the horrific incident in Bengaluru, it needs to take an unsparing look at the role of the state government, cricket association, the team management, and the board — all whose job it was to ensure that the city could celebrate safely and the champion cricketers were adequately shielded. It's hard to be convinced by the logic of these authorities that they didn't anticipate the crowd to swell to many times the 35,000-capacity of Chinnaswamy Stadium. For, no special intelligence was needed here. The RCB fans had waited for 18 years to see their team on the winner's podium. The emotive power of the victory was heightened by the fact that team superstar Virat Kohli is in the twilight of his career. As soon as the game ended, Bengaluru streets echoed with Ee Sala Cup Namde (this time the cup is ours). The political class rushed in to own the triumph, glint in its reflected glory. To this, add the early announcement by RCB on free passes that would never have been enough, police alerts going unnoticed, the on-off open-top bus parade cancelled at the last minute – the perfect storm for an accident. No wonder when the stampede happened, missing was someone in charge, someone to help, even as the felicitation ceremony, attended by the entire state government, including CM Siddaramaiah and his Deputy D K Shivakumar, seemed to be happening in another world altogether. The BCCI has been quick to sidestep its responsibility. Technically, it has a point – the state and local administration were responsible for the event. But since every IPL player, Indian or foreign, signs a contract with BCCI as one of the parties, along with the franchise, the board can't distance itself from this tragedy. In a polarised discourse, the deaths acquire a political colour: Stampede under BJP vs stampede under Congress. Let social media warriors fight that out. What needs to be underlined is that the many triumphs of Indian cricket have many claimants: players; those who bid for them; those who crowd the dug-out; sport bodies; the political class and, of course, Mr Mallya, the fugitive, too. But who is responsible and accountable for the welfare of the fan, ecstatic one time, crushed at another, always vulnerable? From the 14-year-old schoolgirl to the 19-year-old college student, the 26-year-old engineer to the accountant who took a day off with her husband to mark the victory – the 11 lives lost are 11 too many. The world's richest cricket tournament can't cut corners when it comes to fans' safety. A fitting tribute to those dead, therefore, is not mere signing a cheque but holding those in charge responsible. Ensuring that heads roll, and those who dropped the ball Wednesday are made to pay.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Death at a stadium
RCB celebrations turned into a tragedy yesterday, but it was an entirely preventable one Life is cheap in India, it is commonly said. It feels cruel. It also feels true all too often. How true it is of what happened at M Chinnaswamy Stadium yesterday. Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans had waited 18 years for their team to win the IPL trophy. Their excitement was palpable even to those watching from far cities, Delhi to London. Dream fulfilled, mission accomplished, nirvana…the rejoicing messages were unending. Siddaramaiah to DK Shivakumar to HD Kumaraswamy to Vijayendra Yediyurappa…proud cheers poured in from across the state's political spectrum. Ee Sala Cup Namde! This year the cup is ours. That massive numbers would pour into any celebratory space was a no-brainer. Then came the stampede. And the deaths. Of course these were entirely preventable. Bengaluru traffic police had initially said that the victory parade was cancelled and then said it had made 'preparations in case it happens'. If it had indeed done so, the stadium wouldn't have gotten packed far beyond capacity. Indeed, various authorities could have actioned steps to prevent uncontrollable crowds from approaching the venue. The Bengaluru metro was running overcrowded, for example, issuing frequent warning announcements. Social media was also full of live images and videos that should have initiated safety measures in various control rooms. Every part of govt seemed to have participated in cheering the RCB victory. Which part of it will take responsibility for turning the cheers into tears? Just over the past year, we have seen stampedes take lives of Kumbh travellers at the New Delhi railway station, at a Dalit gathering in Hathras, a devotees queue in Tirupati, a Pushpa 2 promotional event in Hyderabad, and the list continues. Because basic crowd management is missing, ordinary activities are always on the edge of a deadly pileup. Govt doesn't do its job, and citizens pay with their lives. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Emotional RCB fans in Dubai celebrate long-awaited IPL victory
For the past seven years, 'Ee Sala Cup Namde,' which means 'This year, the cup is ours' in Kannada, was a hopeful chant by Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans around the world. Introduced in 2018, the phrase became a symbol of loyalty and firm belief, despite years of heartbreak. But on Tuesday night, that hopeful slogan finally turned into reality — 'Ee Sala Cup Namdu,' meaning 'This year, the cup is truly ours' — as RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy. It was a night to remember for RCB fans worldwide, as the team finally lifted the IPL trophy after 18 years of waiting. Emotions ran high among supporters, many of whom celebrated the historic moment with their families, friends, and fellow fans in places like Karama, Al Qusais, and Tecom. For many RCB supporters originally from Karnataka, the victory was not just about cricket. 'I was in college when the IPL started. Now I am 34, with two daughters who are also RCB fans,' said Shahbaz Ali, a longtime UAE resident and businessman. 'We have been watching matches as a family for the last four years. As soon as it was clear we were going to win on the second ball of the last over, I couldn't hold back my tears. We had come close a few times, but this time, it really happened. We waited 18 years for this moment.' Shahbaz marked the special night by taking his entire family out for ice cream, saying, 'It was our way of celebrating this win. My daughters have grown up with RCB, and this victory is just as meaningful for them.' Rajeev Rao, another RCB fan from Mangalore, Karnataka, working in Dubai's hospitality sector, described the moment as pure magic. 'We have been mocked for years, and many said that we would never win. But we always had faith,' said Rao. 'When that last over began, my hands were trembling. By the second ball, we knew it was ours. I called my relatives and friends in Mangalore and we all congratulated each other on video call.' Sunitha Prakash, a teacher and long-time Dubai resident from Mysuru, said her neighborhood in Al Qusais turned into a celebration zone. 'People came out with RCB flags, kids were dancing, and even our building watchman was cheering with us. 'We couldn't do much for winning celebrations due to work and professional engagements the next day. However, we have now saved our celebration for the long weekend. We will be celebrating the win as well as Eid Al Adha with friends during the long weekend. It's a double celebration for us.' RCB's journey in the IPL has always been an emotional rollercoaster for their fans. They reached the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016 but lost each time. 'Despite our team having some of the best players, including legends like AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, the trophy slipped away from us a couple of tournaments. We have reached the playoffs (top 4) in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, and 2022, but could never cross the final hurdle,' said Prakash. Not just fans from Karnataka, but people from across India who support RCB were overjoyed. Nirmal Shah, a sales executive at a jewelry store and a resident of Al Nahda, originally from Gujarat, said that he supports RCB solely because of Kohli. 'I have always admired Kohli. His aggression, his passion, and his loyalty to the team. Although I am from Gujarat, I have never been able to cheer for any other team. Kohli has been the face of RCB for so long and even the Indian cricket team, and he deserves this trophy more than anyone. Watching him finally lift the cup gave me goosebumps. It's like India has won the trophy and not just a regional team,' said Nirmal. Another passionate RCB supporter, Anurag Kumar, an engineer working with a fintech company in Dubai, is originally from Jaipur, Rajasthan, a neighbouring state to Punjab, which RCB defeated in the finals. 'People ask me why I don't support Rajasthan Royals or Punjab Kings. But for me, it was always about Virat Kohli. His dedication, his leadership, and how he carried the team year after year, that's what won my loyalty,' said Anurag whose wife and sons are also big RCB fans. "We all wore our RCB jerseys and watched the match at a cafe in Tecom last night. The moment we won, we screamed, danced, and even had a cake-cutting ceremony.' All across Dubai, from Karama to Tecom, RCB fans gathered in cafes, homes, and lounges to watch the final showdown. As the long Eid weekend approaches, many fans said that they are planning to make the most of it. 'We are planning a big get-together this weekend with RCB-themed decorations, music, and food,' said Prakash. 'We waited 18 years. We are going to celebrate this win like it's our own festival.' For RCB fans in Dubai, this victory is more than cricket triumph. It's a dream fulfilled, a promise kept, and a long-awaited reward for unwavering loyalty.
India Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Bengaluru IPL celebrations: Virat Kohli, RCB teammates honoured with Mysore Peta
The Karnataka government held a civic reception on Wednesday to honour the IPL 2025 champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), at the Vidhana Soudha. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah felicitated Virat Kohli and his teammates with traditional Mysore Petas and garlands made of cardamom, in a symbolic celebration of the team's maiden IPL Vidhana Soudha, seat of the state legislature, served as the grand backdrop for the occasion. However, the festivities were marred by tragedy. At least seven people were killed in a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium later that evening, as massive crowds gathered to celebrate RCB's historic the unfolding crisis, the felicitation ceremony proceeded inside the stadium, where players were honoured for their title-clinching victory over Punjab Kings in Tuesday's final. As fans thronged the venue in overwhelming numbers, inadequate crowd management led to chaos outside, resulting in a deadly crush. Earlier in the day, the RCB squad returned to Bengaluru to a hero's welcome. Thousands of fans lined the route from the airport to the stadium. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar received the team before they proceeded to Vidhana Soudha for the official IPL victory celebration in Bengaluru HighlightsAs the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team bus rolled in, thousands of fans who had gathered since morning erupted in celebration. Skipper Rajat Patidar held the IPL trophy aloft, flanked by Player of the Final Krunal Pandya and senior statesman Virat Kohli, as the squad acknowledged the unwavering support. India Today Photo advertisementAt the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the players were once again honoured with the traditional Mysore Peta and garlands. The ceremony, attended by senior government officials and throngs of passionate supporters, marked the culmination of an emotional journey to RCB's maiden IPL the team bus made a grand entrance into the stadium, welcomed by raucous applause and a sea of flashing phone cameras. From the stadium balcony, Patidar lifted the trophy once more, surrounded by jubilant teammates. Veteran wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who played a crucial role in the campaign, looked on with a smile. India Today Photo When Kohli stepped forward to address the crowd, his words were drowned out several times by deafening cheers. After a few attempts, the former captain finally spoke:"I'm going to start off by repeating what our captain said: it's no longer Ee Sala Cup Namde, it's Ee Sala Cup Namdu. This is for all of you - the fans, the people of this city, everyone who has stood by RCB through thick and thin. I've never witnessed a fanbase like this anywhere in the world. And today, I want to give the loudest cheer for him [Patidar]."Tune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#IPL 2025
