Did Union Ministers Kishan Reddy and Shobha Karandlaje Criticize K'taka Government Over Bengaluru Stampede Tragedy?

Bengaluru, June 5 (NationPress) Union Ministers, G. Kishan Reddy and Shobha Karandlaje, on Wednesday, strongly condemned the Congress-led administration in Karnataka for the tragic stampede that occurred near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals and injuring over 30 others.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines and BJP leader, Kishan Reddy, expressed to IANS that this incident in Karnataka is profoundly regrettable.

"The situation involving numerous injuries and fatalities is alarming, and despite the Karnataka government being aware of the expectations, it failed to implement adequate security measures to prevent the stampede," he stated.

"State Ministers appeared more concerned with taking selfies with cricketers rather than ensuring the safety of attendees. This is a total failure, and the Chief Minister must take responsibility," he added.

On social media platform X, Kishan Reddy shared, "I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. My sincere condolences go to the grieving families, and I hope for the rapid recovery of the injured."

"This dreadful occurrence is a clear result of mismanagement and complete negligence by the Karnataka government. When hosting a large public event, the state government holds the primary responsibility for ensuring effective crowd control and emergency protocols. Sadly, these measures were nonexistent. I call upon the Karnataka Chief Minister to expedite relief efforts, identify accountability, and address the oversights that contributed to this tragedy," he further criticized the Congress-led state government.

Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shobha Karandlaje, who is from Karnataka, remarked to IANS that the stampede is a total failure of the Congress-led state government.

"A significant stampede tragedy has occurred near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The government has completely failed. The police did not consider how many people should be allowed entry into the stadium, and the state government neglected to address this, resulting in an excessive number of people being permitted inside," she stated.

"We denounce the government's incompetence, and they should resign. They cannot manage a single event, and this administration does not deserve to remain in power. There is an atmosphere of sorrow in Karnataka; we celebrated the IPL Championship yesterday, and today we are in mourning. This was the government's responsibility, and they have failed," she added.

Earlier, on social media platform X, the Union Minister stated, "The Congress-led Karnataka government has transformed celebration into tragedy due to zero planning, lack of precautions, and complete failure in crowd management. It’s heartbreaking that over 11 lives have been lost in what should have been a festive occasion. My heartfelt condolences to the grieving families, and I pray for the swift recovery of the injured."

"This is not just an unfortunate incident; it’s a case of criminal negligence! How can a government that cannot manage a parade, govern a state? The Congress-led Karnataka government must be held accountable for this catastrophic failure," she concluded.

Meanwhile, the official statement from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) expressed, "We are profoundly saddened by the tragic events reported regarding public gatherings in Bengaluru anticipating the team’s arrival this afternoon. The safety and welfare of everyone is our highest priority."

"RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extends our deepest condolences to the affected families," the statement continued.

"Upon learning about the situation, we quickly adjusted our program and adhered to the guidance of local authorities. We urge all supporters to remain safe," the statement concluded.

The stampede occurred when thousands of fans rushed to enter the Chinnaswamy Stadium through multiple gates.

Police at the scene transported the injured to ambulances, transferring them to nearby Bowring and Vaidehi hospitals.

The Karnataka government had previously canceled the victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the Chinnaswamy Stadium for security reasons.

Authorities reported that they have been managing celebratory crowds since the previous night. Throughout the night, police personnel worked to ensure no disturbances occurred.

The Karnataka government confirmed that at least 11 individuals lost their lives and over 30 sustained injuries in the stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The government announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and initiated a magisterial inquiry.