The Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) long-awaited IPL victory celebrations turned into a tragic disaster on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru claimed the lives of 11 people and left over 47 injured. The incident has sparked outrage and drawn attention to the apparent lapses in planning and coordination between the concerned authorities. Reports indicate that police warnings to postpone the event to Sunday, June 8, 2025, were ignored, contributing to the chaos that unfolded.
According to sources, Bengaluru police had cautioned both the state government and the RCB management against holding celebrations immediately after the team's historic win. They recommended postponing the event to allow emotions to subside and enable better crowd control measures. A senior police officer stated that the original plan involved a celebratory procession from Vidhana Soudha, passing through key areas before culminating at Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, police advised against the road procession, suggesting instead to bring the players directly to the stadium for a single-venue event.
Despite these reservations, the event proceeded as planned, driven by logistical concerns and political considerations. Officials cited the scheduled departure of players, particularly foreign members, and the government's desire to capitalize on public sentiment as reasons for pushing ahead with the celebrations. The decision to proceed despite police warnings proved fatal, as the stadium and surrounding areas were overwhelmed by an unprecedented influx of fans.
The day began with RCB announcing a victory parade on social media, catching the police off guard as they had not been informed. This announcement ignited the already fervent fanbase, leading to massive crowds gathering around Vidhana Soudha and the stadium. The initial plan for an open-top bus parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium was cancelled around 1 PM due to traffic congestion. Instead, the team met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha and then proceeded directly to the stadium. However, RCB's social media account continued to promote a "Victory Parade," encouraging fans to gather in large numbers, further exacerbating the situation.
By 3 PM, approximately 50,000 people had congregated within a 1-kilometer radius of the stadium, and the numbers continued to rise. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah admitted that the government underestimated the number of people who would attend, with estimates suggesting that 200,000 to 300,000 people were on the streets, including 100,000 near Vidhana Soudha. The stadium's capacity is only around 35,000.
The situation was further compounded by the distribution of free passes for the event. As thousands of fans attempted to enter the stadium, overcrowding and narrow passageways led to a deadly crush. Eyewitnesses described a near-stampede situation outside the stadium gates, with children and elderly fans struggling to stay on their feet. The police, focused on VIP security at Vidhana Soudha, were unable to effectively manage the massive crowd near the stadium.
The tragic incident has prompted investigations and a blame game among various stakeholders. While the Karnataka government has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and free treatment for the injured, questions remain about the lack of planning, coordination, and risk assessment that led to the disaster.
