"Even Worse Stampedes Have Happened": CM Siddaramaiah Reacts to Bengaluru Stadium Tragedy That Killed 11 🔴
Bengaluru, June 4, 2025:
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded to the Bengaluru stampede tragedy on Thursday, acknowledging the horrific loss of life while stating that such stampedes have occurred in the past — though he clarified he was not defending the incident.
During a press conference held after 11 people were killed and nearly 50 injured at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during an IPL celebration event, the Chief Minister said:
“These kinds of stampedes have happened before. Even worse ones. I’m not defending this. In Kumbh Mela also, around 50-60 people died.”
He was referring to the January 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela stampede in Prayagraj, where 30 people died and 60 were injured.
Event Was Not Organised by State Government, Says CM
CM Siddaramaiah stressed that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) hosted the IPL victory event, not the government. However, the government had granted permission and deployed the entire Bengaluru police force for security.
“The government only gave permission and arranged for police. We didn’t host the event at the stadium,” he said.
He added that more than one lakh people had gathered in front of Vidhana Soudha recently, but no such incident had occurred. However, the stadium with a capacity of 35,000 saw a crowd of over 2 to 3 lakh people, which was entirely unexpected.
What Triggered the Stampede?
According to preliminary reports, the stampede occurred outside the stadium during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL victory celebrations. A temporary slab placed over a drain collapsed under the weight of a crowd standing on it, triggering panic and a deadly rush.
Casualties and Current Status
So far, 47 people have been injured, with many suffering only minor injuries. All injured individuals are reportedly out of danger, according to the CM.
This tragic event has raised serious concerns about crowd control and event planning in public spaces. An official inquiry is expected to follow.