Bengaluru~BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra has demanded an inquiry by sitting High Court judges and a minimum compensation of ₹50 lakh for the families of the 11 people who died, including a 13-year-old boy, in the stampede during RCB’s victory celebration.
Speaking at a press conference today at BJP Legislature Party Office No. 101 in Vidhana Soudha, he analyzed that the situation in the state has reached a point where the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Home Minister should resign. He also pointed out a recent stampede-related death in Telangana during the release of Allu Arjun’s movie, asking why Allu Arjun wasn’t arrested there even though the Congress government was in power.
He held the state government entirely responsible for yesterday’s tragedy and insisted that even the RCB owners, whether in London or Dubai, should contribute compensation. He noted that in Kerala, when a person died due to an elephant attack, ₹25 lakh compensation was announced, even though the elephant belonged to Karnataka.
He criticized the state government’s decision to conduct an inquiry through a magistrate, questioning how ministers and the Chief Minister, who are essentially in the dock, could be investigated impartially under such an arrangement. He stated that the government is not ready to accept its failure and is more focused on publicity than public welfare.
Vijayendra questioned why the state government rushed into organizing such a massive celebration for RCB’s win. He asked why it was approved if someone else organized it, and why permission was granted at the last minute without adequate preparation.
Inhuman Behavior Condemned
Even as TV channels were reporting the death toll as five to six, Deputy Chief Ministers were seen kissing the cup at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Meanwhile, ruling party leaders were busy taking selfies in Vidhana Soudha. Vijayendra condemned this inhuman attitude of the state government.
He questioned the necessity of organizing celebrations in front of Vidhana Soudha when celebrations were already happening at Chinnaswamy Stadium. He demanded clarity on whether the decision to celebrate at Vidhana Soudha was taken by the Deputy CM or instructed by the CM, and when that decision was made.
He pointed out that the stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium had already started before the RCB team left for Vidhana Soudha. He questioned the necessity of continuing the celebration at Vidhana Soudha even after receiving reports of deaths. He asked why the event was not canceled or shifted despite having that information.
Vijayendra highlighted that although they expected 30,000–40,000 people, more than 2 lakh turned up, as stated by the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, and Home Minister — a clear indication of administrative failure. He noted the lack of clarity regarding crowd estimates, absence of ambulances, female police officers, stretchers, and a proper police system. He criticized the Chief Minister for trying to downplay the incident by stating that the tragedy occurred only near Chinnaswamy Stadium and not near Vidhana Soudha.
The incident has been registered as an unnatural death at the Cubbon Park police station, and an investigation has begun. Vijayendra stressed that due to the government’s negligence, 11 innocent lives were lost, and a proper investigation must be conducted. He asserted that the government cannot escape responsibility and urged the Chief Minister to order an investigation by a sitting High Court judge. He also demanded that the state government take an appropriate decision on this matter
