Is Karnataka's Deputy CM Shivakumar to Blame for the Bengaluru Stampede?

Bengaluru, June 5 (NationPress) Union Minister for Large and Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, has stated that the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, bears responsibility for the tragic stampede incident occurring near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals and left over 30 others injured.

The unfortunate event unfolded on Wednesday as crowds attempted to enter the stadium for a celebration marking the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first-ever victory in the Indian Premier League.

During a late-night press briefing at his residence in New Delhi, Union Minister Kumaraswamy criticized Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar for his impulsiveness, immaturity, and irresponsibility, attributing these traits to the tragic circumstances.

The Union Minister insisted that "the individual accountable for this calamity should be promptly dismissed from the Cabinet."

He lambasted the Congress-led government in Karnataka, describing it as governed by "arrogant fools" and lamented, "It grieves me to say this, but we have a Chief Minister who is utterly ineffective. He lacks control over the Deputy Chief Minister. Discussing the Home Minister is pointless; he simply follows orders. If told to sit, he sits; if told to stand, he stands."

Referring to the state government's event near Vidhana Soudha, Minister Kumaraswamy noted, "While four individuals lay lifeless in a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Deputy CM Shivakumar proceeded with the felicitation ceremony as if nothing had transpired. How can one characterize such a government other than calling it arrogant?"

He expressed frustration over the state's rush to hold a felicitation, stating, "The team won the IPL trophy on Tuesday night. What was the urgency in organizing a felicitation event immediately? Who invited the team? Why this haste? Everyone is aware of the Deputy CM's involvement in all this."

"Who hurried to the airport on Wednesday morning to welcome the team? Who transformed it into a spectacle? It was solely the Deputy CM and his entourage. Was this D.K. Shivakumar's RCB team?" he questioned.

"Why conduct two separate events? A single well-organized program with sufficient preparation would have sufficed. There should have been adequate security and caution. Instead, everything was rushed merely to enhance his (Deputy CM Shivakumar's) image. This recklessness has cost the lives of sports fans," Union Minister Kumaraswamy asserted.

He condemned the Deputy Chief Minister's actions at the stadium, stating, "After his appearance at Vidhana Soudha, the Deputy CM arrived at the stadium. Right outside lay the bodies of the deceased. Instead of halting the event, he entered the ground, raised the trophy, and kissed it. Did he play the match and win the cup himself? Perhaps even the players didn’t get a chance to touch the trophy. In the midst of tragedy, he exploited RCB's victory for his own publicity and self-aggrandizement."

"Such recklessness cannot be tolerated. If the Chief Minister possesses any strength, courage, or leadership, he must start by expelling such an individual from his Cabinet," demanded the Union Minister.

The Karnataka BJP unit has called for the resignation of Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, attributing the conflict between Deputy CM Shivakumar and the Home Minister over credit as a contributor to the stampede that resulted in 11 deaths during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebration.

On Wednesday, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and BJP leader, R. Ashoka, in Bengaluru remarked, "The fatalities resulting from the stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium this evening are unequivocally government-sponsored murders."

"Deputy CM and Bengaluru In-charge Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who should have been overseeing the arrangements, instead sought a photo opportunity at the airport. Up to the last moment, the police lacked clarity on whether a parade should even occur," LoP Ashoka commented, criticizing the Congress-led state government.

"There were no precautionary measures such as ambulances, fire tenders, or any emergency services near the stadium, where lakhs of people were anticipated to gather," he added.

Criticizing the state government, LoP Ashoka asked, "Why was there such confusion among the public, with conflicting reports first indicating that the RCB team parade would occur in an open vehicle from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium, and then denying it? Why was there no clear clarification on this until the evening? Whose pressure hindered the police from making a decisive call?"

He further stated, "Many questions must be addressed by the CM Siddaramaiah-led government. However, first, Home Minister G. Parameshwara should immediately assume moral responsibility and resign."

"The Congress government's reckless mismanagement has turned what should have been a moment of joy and celebration for the IPL champions, the RCB team, into a moment of tragedy, claiming innocent lives today," LoP Ashoka added.

"The state government's eagerness to claim credit for the popular RCB team's championship victory, lacking proper preparation, planning, or adequate time for police to manage the felicitation, is the primary cause of this disaster," he emphasized.

"The IPL final match concluded only last night. The police personnel, who were occupied with maintaining law and order throughout the city all night, were suddenly tasked with providing security for such a large-scale event once again. The government’s clear failure and, more importantly, its irresponsibility are evident in its lack of basic understanding that this would be tremendously challenging," LoP Ashoka added.

"It is evident that the government underestimated the massive number of fans who would arrive to welcome the champion RCB team, see their favorite players, and partake in the celebrations. This event could have been scheduled for a weekend, allowing more time for preparation for the anticipated crowd," he stated.

"The state government must accept accountability for these fatalities and offer Rs 25 lakh compensation to the families of those deceased. It should also cover the full cost of treatment for the injured. The entire state mourns alongside the families of the unfortunate victims," LoP Ashoka concluded.

"Who is accountable for all of this? If CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar possess even a shred of humanity or conscience, after sacrificing innocent lives for their quest for publicity, they must immediately resign and step down," he asserted.

LoP Ashoka, alongside the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and BJP leader, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, visited the Vaideshi hospital and engaged with families and relatives of the injured.

The Karnataka government has confirmed that at least 11 individuals have died and more than 30 others were injured in the stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and has ordered a magisterial inquiry.