The city of Bengaluru erupted in joyous celebrations on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) brought home their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy after 18 years. However, the celebratory atmosphere soon turned tragic when a stampede occurred near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the team was scheduled to be felicitated. The incident resulted in at least 11 fatalities and left over 33 people injured, casting a dark shadow over what should have been a day of unbridled joy.
Anushka Sharma, the Bollywood actress and wife of RCB star player Virat Kohli, was present at the victory parade alongside her husband. Before the stampede, she shared glimpses of the celebrations on her social media, capturing the enthusiastic crowds that had gathered to welcome the team. She posted videos of fans lining the streets, cheering and waving at the team bus, with captions expressing her joy at witnessing the long-awaited dream fulfilled for the fans. "These happy faces have waited for this very lovingly and patiently," she wrote, unaware of the tragedy that was about to unfold.
The stampede reportedly occurred near Gate 2 of the stadium, shortly after the RCB team had visited the Vidhana Soudha to meet with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Confusion regarding the parade plans had persisted throughout the day, with initial reports suggesting that the Bengaluru traffic police had denied permission due to safety concerns. Despite this, thousands of fans had already gathered near the stadium, eager to welcome their team, resulting in an uncontrollable surge of people.
Eyewitness accounts described scenes of chaos and panic as barriers were breached and the crowd surged forward. The lack of effective crowd management exacerbated the situation, overwhelming police forces and making it difficult for emergency services to respond. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Bowring and Vydehi Hospitals, but unfortunately, many lives were lost.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with many questioning the planning and execution of the victory celebrations. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident and has promised INR 10 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, calling the mishap "absolutely heartrending."
Despite the tragedy, a brief victory ceremony was held inside the stadium, where RCB captain Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli addressed the crowd, expressing their gratitude for the fans' unwavering support. The team also took a lap of honor around the ground with the trophy.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also weighed in on the tragedy, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia calling it a "negative side of popularity" and emphasizing the need for proper precautions and safety measures when organizing large-scale victory celebrations.
The Bengaluru stampede serves as a stark reminder of the importance of crowd management and safety protocols at public events. What was intended to be a historic celebration of RCB's maiden IPL victory has tragically turned into a day of mourning, leaving the city and its fans heartbroken. The incident has undoubtedly left a deep scar on the RCB's victory and will be remembered as a day when joy turned into sorrow.
