A stampede at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebrations in Bengaluru has taken a tragic turn, with reports indicating at least 7 fatalities and numerous injuries. The incident occurred on June 4, 2025, as massive crowds gathered near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and Vidhana Soudha to celebrate the team's maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title win after 18 years.
The overwhelming number of fans eager to celebrate with their team led to chaotic scenes, with people rushing towards the stadium gates and the venue of the government-organized felicitation ceremony. Despite heavy police presence, the sheer volume of the crowd overwhelmed security measures, resulting in a stampede where many were crushed and trampled. Ambulance services were severely hampered by the congestion, delaying medical assistance to the injured.
The incident has sparked outrage and led to a political blame game. The BJP has strongly criticized the Karnataka government, alleging negligence and administrative failure in managing the crowd. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took to social media, stating that the "celebration has turned into a nightmare" due to the lack of foresight and failure in crowd control by the state government and emphasizing that accountability must be fixed, as lives were lost due to negligence, not chance. Other BJP leaders have echoed this sentiment, accusing the government of failing to ensure the safety of the public during the event. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya urged citizens to celebrate responsibly and not let the joyous occasion be overshadowed by tragedy.
In response, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has apologized for the "uncontrollable" crowd. He acknowledged the difficulties in managing the situation and expressed regret for the overcrowding. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the injured in the hospital. The Karnataka government had earlier cancelled a proposed victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium, citing crowd control and safety concerns.
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the events leading up to the stampede. Many fans had gathered hours in advance, and as the crowd swelled, people began jostling for space. The situation worsened as some fans attempted to climb over the walls and fences of the stadium to gain entry. Videos circulating on social media show chaotic scenes of people gasping for air and collapsing under the pressure of the crowd.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) suspended services at Cubbon Park and Dr BR Ambedkar Vidhana Soudha metro stations to manage the crowds.
While the exact cause of the stampede is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest that a combination of factors, including the massive turnout, inadequate crowd control measures, and the cancellation of the victory parade, contributed to the tragedy. The incident has raised serious questions about the planning and execution of large-scale public events and the need for stricter safety protocols to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The RCB team continued with a scaled-down felicitation ceremony at the stadium.
