The recent suspension of senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Bengaluru, including the City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, has triggered a wave of discontent and outrage among retired members of the police fraternity. This unprecedented action by the Karnataka government, following a tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory celebrations, has been met with strong condemnation and demands for a rollback.

The incident, which occurred near Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulted in the unfortunate loss of 11 lives and left many injured. In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered the suspension of several high-ranking officers, citing dereliction of duty and negligence. Besides the Police Commissioner, the suspended officers include Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Vikash Kumar Vikash, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shekar H Tekkannavar, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cubbon Park) C Balakrishna, and Cubbon Park police station Inspector A K Girish. Furthermore, the CM ordered the arrest of top executives from RCB, event management firm DNA, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), holding them accountable for the inadequate preparations for the felicitation event.

However, this swift and severe action has been criticized by retired IPS officers who view it as an unjust and unwarranted response. They argue that the government is unfairly scapegoating the police to deflect attention from its own administrative failures.

Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao, a prominent voice in the opposition, has been particularly vocal in his criticism. Describing the suspensions as "the darkest day in the history of Karnataka Police," Rao accused the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of using the police as scapegoats to shield themselves from responsibility. He argued that the officers had worked tirelessly to maintain order and ensure public safety, and their suspension was a poor reward for their efforts.

The retired officers are demanding a thorough and impartial inquiry into the incident, arguing that a knee-jerk reaction to suspend officers without due process is detrimental to the morale and effectiveness of the police force. They contend that while accountability is essential, it should be determined based on a fair assessment of the facts and circumstances, rather than political expediency.

The suspension order stated that the Office of the Commissioner of Police failed to provide a written reply rejecting permission for RCB to hold a victory parade. However, critics argue that placing the entire blame on these officers is an oversimplification of the issue. They point to the fact that over 2.5 lakh people gathered around the stadium, overwhelming the deployed personnel and resources, despite the presence of 1,318 police personnel and 325 personnel from the Karnataka State Reserve Police.

The Karnataka High Court has also taken cognizance of the tragedy, registering a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) and directing the state government to submit a status report. Additionally, the government has established a one-man commission led by retired High Court judge Justice Michael D' Cunha to investigate the lapses in planning, coordination, and crowd management that led to the stampede. The commission is expected to submit its report within 30 days.

In the interim, the government has appointed IPS officer Seemanth Kumar Singh as the new City Police Commissioner of Bengaluru. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been tasked with investigating the two FIRs registered at Cubbon Park Police station related to the tragedy, including the role of RCB, KSCA, and DNA Entertainment Networks.

The demand for a rollback of the suspensions reflects a deep concern within the police fraternity about the potential for political interference and the erosion of trust between the government and law enforcement agencies. The retired IPS officers are calling for a more nuanced and considered approach, emphasizing the need for a fair and transparent investigation that holds all responsible parties accountable, without unjustly punishing those who were simply trying to manage an unprecedented and challenging situation.