DK Shivakumar plays down deadly Bengaluru stampede: 'Crowd uncontrollable; even minor incidents make headlines'

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday sought to play down the stampede outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy during RCB's IPL victory parade, saying that "even minor incidents can make headlines".

Speaking to reporters shortly after the tragedy, which claimed at least 11 lives, Shivakumar said that the "young and vibrant" crowd was "uncontrollable" during the victory procession.

"I think this is not a controllable crowd. I apologise to all the people of Bengaluru and Karnataka, we wanted to take a procession, but the crowd is uncontrollable," Shivakumar said.

The Congress leader, who also serves as Bengaluru’s Development Minister, also sought to paint the incident as "minor" and suggested that the stampede may have been triggered by the "enthusiasm of the youth.”

"The team had requested to hold a parade in an open vehicle. However, Chief Minister and I discussed the matter, and the police did not permit it due to law and order concerns and the need to ensure the safety of the players."

"If the youth aren’t enthusiastic about sports, who else will be? I’m not saying their passion is wrong - but we must be as cautious as possible. Let’s give the team the respect it deserves," he said.

Shivakumar added: "The entire country is watching, and even a minor incident - whether it’s a stampede, a loss of life, or an injury - can make headlines. I appeal to the youth to conduct themselves in a way that upholds their dignity."

7 dead. Many are battling for life after a stampede due to the irresponsibility of Congress govt.No crowd control measures. No basic arrangements. Just chaos.While innocent people died, @siddaramaiah & @DKShivakumar were busy shooting reels & hogging limelight with pic.twitter.com/IVPuQjXxcq

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BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) June 4, 2025

Later, when reports of the incident shadowed the victory celebrations, Shivakumar urged the people to remain calm and said that the programme has been curtailed.

"I have spoken to the police commissioner and everyone. I will also go to the hospital later. I do not want to disturb the doctors who are taking care of the patients. The exact number cannot be told now. We appeal to the people to remain calm. We shortened the program. The program ended within 10 minutes. We are trying to make everything normal...Lakhs of people came," he said.

Shivakumar later joined the RCB team inside the stadium and lifted the IPL trophy alongside the players, including Virat Kohli.

The stampede outside the stadium, caused by fans turning up in massive numbers, killed at least 11 people and injured over 50.

According to eye-witnesses, a stampede-like situation emerged as fans thronged the venue of felicitation. Visuals showed police shifting the injured persons and those who fell unconscious in ambulances to nearby hospitals.

Visuals also showed some of those who were in an unconscious state being administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by those nearby. Police had a tough time in crowd management as a large number of cricket enthusiasts tried to gain entry, at the same time, into the stadium.

The BJP blamed the Congress government in Karnataka for the stampede, claiming that there was no crowd control measures or basic arrangements at the venue.

"While innocent people died, CM Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar were busy shooting reels & hogging limelight with cricketers. Shame on this photo-op Congress government. This is criminal negligence. Blood is on the hands of Congress govt," it said on X.