The tragic stampede in Bengaluru during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebrations has drawn sharp reactions, including strong words from Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team. The incident, which occurred on June 4, 2025, outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulted in 11 fatalities and injuries to dozens more, casting a dark shadow over what was meant to be a joyous occasion for the team and its fans.
Gambhir, speaking to the media ahead of the Indian team's tour of England, didn't mince words when asked about the tragedy. He stated firmly, "I was never a believer of road shows." He emphasized that his stance wasn't new, recounting that he held the same view even after India's victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup. He suggested that celebrations should ideally be held inside stadiums where crowd management can be better controlled.
The former India batter expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased, saying, "My heart goes to the families of those who lost their lives." He stressed the importance of responsibility, stating, "All I can say is, we need to be responsible. Every life matters. If we are not ready to hold a road show, we should not do that. You cannot at any point of time lose 11 people."
Gambhir's comments come amidst widespread criticism of the event's organizers and authorities for alleged lapses in planning and crowd control. Reports indicate that over two lakh fans gathered outside the stadium, which has a capacity of only around 30,000, leading to extreme overcrowding and chaos. It has been reported that initially the police did not give consent for the victory parade, but subsequently gave clearance for conducting it at Chinnaswamy stadium.
Adding to the confusion, there were conflicting messages regarding the event. An open-top bus parade was initially planned but later cancelled due to traffic congestion. Despite this, RCB's official social media account continued to promote a "Victory Parade," encouraging fans to gather in large numbers. The distribution of free passes further exacerbated the situation, drawing even larger crowds to the stadium area.
Following the stampede, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of approximately $12,000 for the families of the victims, along with free treatment for those injured. The state government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and promised to formulate new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for mega-events and celebrations. RCB also announced financial support of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the victims and the creation of a fund called RCB Cares to support fans injured in the incident.
Other prominent figures in the cricket world have also expressed their grief and shock over the tragedy. Virat Kohli, the superstar icon of RCB, posted on social media, "At a loss for words. Absolutely gutted." Krunal Pandya shared an emotional note, saying, "Yesterday's event was meant to share our joy with you and it has turned into a heartbreaking tragedy. Sending out my condolences and prayers to the families that are grieving."
An FIR has been registered against RCB and related entities for criminal negligence, and investigations are underway. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and management of large-scale public events, and the need for better coordination between event organizers, authorities, and law enforcement agencies.
