The aftermath of the tragic stampede in Bengaluru during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebrations has sparked a wave of grief and controversy. At least 11 people have been confirmed dead, including a 13-year-old, and many more injured after a massive crowd gathered outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in a chaotic crush.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that the "pain of this tragedy has erased the joy of victory." He announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident, promising a thorough investigation within 15 days. The Chief Minister also declared a compensation of ₹10,00,000 for the families of the deceased.

However, Siddaramaiah's response has also drawn criticism, particularly regarding his remarks that seemed to downplay the severity of the situation by comparing it to the Kumbh Mela. Reports indicate that he stated, "50-60 died in Kumbh Mela but I didn’t criticise." These comments have been met with backlash, with many accusing him of insensitivity and attempting to deflect responsibility.

The incident occurred despite the cancellation of the official RCB victory parade due to concerns about managing large crowds. However, thousands of fans still gathered near Vidhana Soudha, eager to celebrate their team's historic win. The stadium, with a capacity of 35,000, was reportedly overwhelmed by an estimated 2-3 lakh people. This massive over attendance, coupled with alleged poor crowd control measures, created a dangerous environment that ultimately led to the stampede.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the situation escalated quickly as fans surged towards the stadium gates, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite players. The heavy police presence proved insufficient to manage the sheer volume of people. The BJP has slammed the Congress-led state government for "gross negligence" and "publicity-driven haste" that allegedly contributed to the tragedy. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has accused the Siddaramaiah government of seeking to hog the limelight from RCB's IPL victory, alleging that adequate arrangements were not made to manage the celebrations safely.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the decision to continue the event after the stampede, stating that the program was shortened to just 10 minutes. However, this justification has done little to quell the anger and grief of the victims' families and the public.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences, calling the mishap "absolutely heartrending." He offered his thoughts to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the planning and execution of the event, and whether more could have been done to prevent this devastating tragedy.