How Did June 4th Change the Fate of Bengaluru’s IPL Celebrations?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the impact of tragic events on communities.
- The importance of safety measures at public gatherings.
- Commitment to support affected families through initiatives like 'RCB Cares'.
- The necessity for improved crowd management protocols in sports.
- Consequences of safety failures on future event planning.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (NationPress) Virat Kohli has expressed his thoughts on the unfortunate events of June 4, when what was anticipated to be a joyous occasion in Bengaluru turned into a tragedy as a stampede resulted in the loss of 11 lives during the celebrations for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first IPL title.
Kohli noted that the grief felt by the city is now part of the team's narrative, and they will forge ahead with a sense of duty. “Nothing in life truly prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th. What should’ve been the most joyous moment in our franchise’s history… became something sorrowful. I have been reflecting on and praying for the families of the departed… and for our fans who sustained injuries. Your loss has become part of our journey. Together, we will proceed with care, respect, and responsibility,” stated Virat Kohli on RCB’s official site.
Having stepped back from T20 and Test formats, Kohli is set to return in India’s white ball tour of Australia this October.
In response to the tragic incident, RCB has launched a detailed initiative called 'RCB Cares', aimed at ensuring better safety measures following the stampede that occurred during the team’s IPL title celebrations.
As part of its long-term vision, RCB declared that it will work closely with the IPL and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to enhance crowd management protocols to avert such tragedies in the future.
Previously, the franchise had committed Rs 25 lakh as compensation for each of the families impacted by the tragedy. Building on that promise, 'RCB Cares' has been introduced as a platform to “support, empower and elevate our 12th Man Army through meaningful action.”
Following the June 4 stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB's celebration, the Karnataka government appointed the Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission to investigate the incident. The commission concluded that the stadium's “design and structure” are fundamentally “unsuitable and unsafe” for mass gatherings.
Consequently, Navi Mumbai has been designated as one of the five venues for the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in a revised schedule for the prestigious event.