'Under whose pressure was permission given': BJP demands resignation of CM Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar over Bengaluru stampede

Bengaluru stampede: BJP leaders from Karnataka staged a protest on Sunday at the steps of Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Vidhana Soudha

Bengaluru stampede: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CT Ravi questioned how despite police advising against it, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) victory parade was allowed — a decision that eventually led to the loss of 11 lives. Ravi condemned the Karnataka government over the stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB's IPL victory event and held Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responsible for the tragedy, saying that "such an event could only have been organized with their permission."

He told ANI, "Such an event could have only been organised with the CM and Dy CM's permission. They are the reason behind this tragedy... Can they bring back the people who passed away?"

"Despite the Police advising against it, under whose pressure was permission given to hold this event at the Chinnaswamy Stadium? Should that person not be investigated?" he demanded.

The BJP leader demanded an independent judicial enquiry under the High Court Chief Justice to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy. "The CM and the Dy CM should resign. We also demand an independent judicial enquiry under the High Court Chief Justice.", he said.

Ravi also criticised the government's compensation and demanded that the team has earned crores but has not announced any compensation to the victims' families. "The Rs 25 lakh compensation they announced is not from their own money but the government's treasury. RCB has earned crores and yet has not announced any compensation."

BJP leaders from Karnataka staged a protest on Sunday at the steps of Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Vidhana Soudha, condemning the state Congress government over the deadly stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB's IPL victory parade.

Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP) R Ashok strongly criticised the Siddaramaiah-led government over the tragedy and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

"Siddaramaiah is in trouble. His mind is not functioning right... Theirs is not a government but a Tughlaq Durbar. The Karnataka government organised this event during which people lost their lives. They are the culprits... We demand the resignation of the CM and Dy CM..." Ashok said.

Ashok also demanded compensation of Rs one crore for each person who died in the incident.

Meanwhile, CM Siddaramaiah has ordered an increase in the compensation announced for the families of those who died in the stampede to Rs 25 lakh each. The government had earlier announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each.