RCB Victory Parade Stampede LIVE: IPL Chairman says BCCI was unaware of Karnataka government’s plans to felicitate RCB.
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A Joyous Victory Turns Tragic
On June 4, 2025, Bengaluru was gripped by euphoria as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) celebrated their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title win, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. However, the planned victory parade and felicitation ceremony at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium turned deadly when a stampede claimed 11 lives and injured 33 fans. The tragedy, caused by severe overcrowding and inadequate crowd management, has cast a shadow over RCB’s historic achievement after 18 years of anticipation. This blog details the incident, its causes, the response from authorities and the cricketing community, and public sentiment as reflected in posts on X.
The Incident: Chaos at Chinnaswamy Stadium
The stampede occurred outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as an estimated 2-3 lakh fans gathered to celebrate RCB’s victory, far exceeding the venue’s capacity of 32,000. The chaos unfolded near the stadium gates, exacerbated by narrow passageways, a collapsed temporary slab over a drain, and confusion over free passes announced by RCB. Despite police warnings against holding the event on Wednesday due to high emotions, RCB proceeded with the celebration, citing the imminent departure of overseas players for international commitments. The franchise rejected suggestions to delay the event until Sunday, when crowd emotions might have been more manageable.
Police had advised RCB and the Karnataka government to hold the event in an organized manner at the stadium rather than an open bus parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy, but the massive turnout overwhelmed security measures. Reports indicate that fans, some without passes, attempted to force their way through small entry points, leading to a deadly rush. Bengaluru City Police resorted to lathi-charges to control the crowd, and metro services near the stadium were halted to prevent further congestion. The injured were rushed to Bowring and Vaidehi Hospitals, where six deaths, including a 13-year-old girl, were confirmed, with others succumbing to injuries later
A police official told Deccan Herald: “We tried to discourage the government and RCB from holding celebrations on Wednesday. We recommended Sunday when emotions would have cooled down.”
X Post Reactions: Public Sentiment
Posts on X captured the shock, grief, and anger among fans and observers following the tragedy. Below are five notable posts reflecting the public’s response:
@PTI_News: Four dead in stampede-like situation that broke out near Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB celebration in Bengaluru: Hospital officials. https://t.co/3vfS7fX7Rx[](https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1930284882871431608)
@PTI_News: VIDEO | In the aftermath of the chaos at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, police, fans, and authorities came together to carry fainted and injured individuals to ambulances. Earlier today, a massive crowd gathered to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s https://t.co/bTaF6E6xtM[](https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1930311354856157668)
@erbmjha: 🚨 RCB victory celebrations turn tragic in Bengaluru — 11 dead, 27 hospitalized due to a stampede caused by overcrowding and mismanagement. 7 deaths at Bowring Hospital, 4 at Vaidehi Hospital. Some injured remain critical. Emergency response ongoing.[](https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1930242137519731105)
@PTI_News: “Deeply shocked by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede during the RCB victory celebrations near Chinnaswamy Stadium. A moment of joy has been eclipsed by sorrow.”
@PTI_News: BJP Karnataka chief Vijayendra claims 11 dead in RCB celebration stampede. No official confirmation.
Official Response and Investigations
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expressing deep sorrow, announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and free treatment for the injured. He ordered a magisterial inquiry, led by senior IAS officer G. Jagadeesha, to investigate within 15 days. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and RCB jointly pledged an additional ₹5 lakh per family. The Karnataka High Court took suo moto cognizance, directing the Advocate General to submit a report on the state’s response by 2:30 p.m. on June 5, 2025, and noted a security breach near Vidhana Soudha during the felicitation event attended by Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal stated that the BCCI was unaware of the Karnataka government’s plans for the event, emphasizing the lack of coordination. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia called the incident a “negative side of popularity,” admitting lapses in planning and urging better safety measures. Deputy CM Shivakumar confirmed that RCB halted celebrations within five minutes of learning about the stampede.
“This is a negative side of popularity. The organizers should have planned it better,” said BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.
Cricketing Community’s Response
The cricketing world expressed profound grief. Virat Kohli, RCB’s talisman, posted on Instagram, “At a loss for words. Absolutely gutted,” reflecting the team’s devastation. Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, and Harbhajan Singh also shared condolences on X, with Tendulkar calling the incident “beyond tragic” and Kumble terming it a “sad day for cricket.” RCB issued a statement prioritizing fan safety and amending their celebration program.
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose wife Akshata Murty is connected to Bengaluru, expressed condolences, stating, “Mine and Akshata’s hearts go out to everyone who has lost loved ones.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “absolutely heartrending,” offering prayers for the injured.
Political Fallout and Criticism
The tragedy sparked political backlash, with the Karnataka BJP, led by B.Y. Vijayendra, accusing the Congress-led government of “criminal negligence” and demanding resignations. Former CM Basavaraja Bommai and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticized the lack of planning, citing Mumbai’s successful T20 World Cup parade as a contrast. The BJP alleged that the government prioritized publicity over safety, with Vijayendra questioning whether Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar reviewed crowd safety plans.
Lessons from Past Events
The stampede highlights recurring issues with crowd management in India, where stampedes at large gatherings, such as religious events, are not uncommon. A recent example is the Maha Kumbh festival in January 2025, where 30 people died during a river-bathing rush. Mumbai’s T20 World Cup victory parade in 2024, cited by BCCI and Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik, demonstrated effective planning with clear police guidelines and advance fan communication. The Bengaluru incident underscores the need for better coordination between event organizers, local authorities, and emergency services.
Impact on RCB and Bengaluru
RCB’s maiden IPL title, a milestone for captain Rajat Patidar and stalwart Virat Kohli, was marred by this tragedy. The franchise, valued at $117 million and boasting over 21 million Instagram followers, has a passionate fanbase that turned out in unprecedented numbers. The cancellation of the open bus parade and the somber mood in Bengaluru have shifted focus from celebration to mourning. The incident may prompt RCB and the KSCA to reassess how they engage with fans during major events, prioritizing safety protocols. Bengaluru’s infrastructure, including its metro system, which recorded 9.66 lakh commuters on June 4, faced severe strain, highlighting the need for better urban planning for large-scale events.
RCB Victory Parade Stampede – Overview
Tragedy Strikes RCB Victory Parade: Stampede Claims 11 Lives Amid Celebrations in Bengaluru
A jubilant celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL 2025 victory turned tragic on Wednesday evening, as a massive crowd gathered for the team’s victory parade outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium led to a stampede, leaving at least 11 dead and several others injured.
Police Had Warned Against Midweek Parade
According to a report by Deccan Herald, Bengaluru police had advised the RCB management and Karnataka government to avoid holding any celebrations on Wednesday. The police suggested postponing the event to Sunday, a time when emotions would have settled, and crowd management would have been easier.
“We tried to discourage the government as well as the RCB franchise from Tuesday night. We told them it would be ill-advised to conduct a parade on Wednesday,” a police official stated.
Despite repeated advisories, the RCB franchise reportedly stuck to its original plan, citing logistical concerns, particularly the departure of international players who were scheduled to leave India immediately after the final.
Open Parade Despite Warnings
The victory celebration included an open bus parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium. As news of the procession spread, thousands of fans started gathering near the stadium from early morning, overwhelming the security arrangements in place. Police and traffic departments had posted warnings across social media platforms, urging fans to stay cautious and discouraging mass gatherings.
“We suggested holding a closed event inside the stadium. Bringing the players directly and managing the event at one place would have been safer,” the officer added.
Logistical Compromises and Government Pressure
The IPL 2025 schedule was already delayed by over a week due to the Indo-Pak conflict. This left a narrow window for player availability, especially for overseas players. The RCB management argued that delaying the celebration would mean the absence of key team members.
“Their argument was that the players, especially the foreigners, would leave today or tomorrow,” a senior police official explained.
The state government, keen to be part of the celebration, reportedly chose to proceed despite the risks. Officials feared public disappointment and backlash if the event was denied altogether.
“Naturally, the government would want to take mileage out of it. Refusing could have sparked another kind of chaos,” the officer added.
Massive Crowd, Limited Control
The crowd frenzy reached unmanageable levels, with authorities overwhelmed from the previous night’s celebrations. A police source described the chaos as unprecedented, saying:
“Till 5:30 am on Tuesday, all our personnel – from the commissioner to constables – were on the streets. It was total madness. This kind of frenzy we’ve never seen.”
The situation quickly spiraled out of control as people surged toward the moving bus. In the absence of proper barricading and coordination, the stampede ensued.
