Did Shobha Karandlaje Justify the Chinnaswamy Stadium Incident?

Bengaluru, June 7 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, criticized Karnataka Congress leaders for their defense of the tragic stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which resulted in 11 fatalities. She condemned their comparison of this incident with the Prayagraj calamity that claimed the lives of at least 30 individuals, emphasizing that over 66 crore people attended the Prayagraj event.

During a press conference at the BJP office in Bengaluru on Saturday, she remarked, "You mention the Prayagraj incident, but do you realize how many attended? Over 66 crore people were present in Prayagraj, while you failed to manage a mere 2 lakh attendees in Bengaluru. A similar event in Mumbai attracted more than 10 lakh people without any reported fatalities."

Karandlaje directed her remarks towards Congress leaders, stating, "For mere publicity, you've created chaos by organizing this event at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which can hold only 40,000 people."

She further noted, "There has been an ongoing rivalry between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar regarding who would gain more visibility from this event. The CM made a post on X, inviting fans to the function near Vidhana Soudha. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) sent a letter on June 3 requesting the presence of both the CM and Deputy CM to honor RCB players. Yet now you claim ignorance?"

Criticizing the Siddaramaiah-led government, she continued, "Initially, a magisterial inquiry was initiated. We questioned whether a Deputy Commissioner could investigate the CM. Then you established the Michael D'Cunha Commission to investigate the COVID scam, which still has no report. We have no opposition; why was he chosen from all retired judges? What’s your agenda?"

She accused the government of attempting to cover up the tragedy through the magisterial probe and the D'Cunha Commission's investigation. "I have reached out to the Karnataka Chief Justice requesting suo motu cognizance, which has been accepted. However, it was the state's duty to appoint a sitting High Court judge to oversee this matter."

Additionally, Karandlaje criticized the decision to suspend the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, stating, "CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar should be the ones resigning. A sitting judge must investigate. Today, RCB management staff are arrested... why aren’t you?"

"The government cannot shift the blame onto officials. You suspend those who denied permission for the event while those who pressured to carry it out face no consequences," she pointed out.

She concluded, "People lost their lives in the stampede around 3:45 p.m., yet you commenced the program at 4 p.m.. CM and Dy CM, responsible for Bengaluru, were well aware of the fatalities yet continued celebrations at Vidhana Soudha. This indicates that, Mr. Siddaramaiah, you celebrated over dead bodies."

Karandlaje raised questions about the permissions granted, stating, "If you approved the event, why penalize the police officers? The government owes an explanation. The police clearly indicated they needed time to prepare. With 21 gates at Chinnaswamy Stadium, only 3 gates were opened on June 4. If free entry was declared with passes, why weren't all gates opened? This mismanagement led to the stampede."