In what should have been a day of pure celebration, tragedy struck outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as a stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory parade turned fatal. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, claimed 11 lives and left several others injured, casting a dark shadow over RCB’s first-ever IPL title win.
Stampede During RCB’s Victory Celebration
After winning their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title by defeating Punjab Kings in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB returned to Bengaluru for a grand victory parade and felicitation ceremony. The event was scheduled to take place at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, a venue synonymous with RCB’s home matches.
However, massive crowds overwhelmed the streets surrounding the stadium, and poor crowd control led to a tragic stampede, cutting short what was intended to be a historic moment of joy for fans and players alike. Despite the chaos outside, the victory celebration inside the stadium continued, a decision that has drawn criticism on social media.
Karnataka CM Announces ₹10 Lakh Compensation
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the press shortly after the incident and confirmed the death of 11 individuals due to the stampede. He offered ₹10 lakh compensation to each of the bereaved families and assured that all the injured would receive free medical treatment at government hospitals.
“We, or the Karnataka State Cricket Association, did not expect such a huge crowd,” CM Siddaramaiah stated, acknowledging the mismanagement that contributed to the disaster.
He also visited the injured victims in hospitals and promised strict evaluation of the event planning procedures to avoid such incidents in the future.
RCB Responds with Financial Support
The RCB franchise issued an official statement expressing grief and solidarity with the families of the victims. The team also announced a ₹10 lakh compensation for each of the families affected by the stampede.
In addition, RCB has set up a dedicated relief fund named ‘RCB Cares’, which will provide support and medical assistance to those injured during the incident. The fund aims to ensure that the fans—who came out in support of their team—receive the help they need in this time of crisis.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic events that occurred outside Chinnaswamy Stadium. The victims came out to celebrate our victory, and we stand by them,” read RCB’s social media post.
A Bitter Aftertaste to a Historic Victory
RCB’s IPL 2025 title win was historic in itself, ending an 18-year drought. But this unfortunate incident has dampened the celebrations, prompting serious questions about the planning and coordination of large public events.
While the team’s gesture of financial aid and the creation of ‘RCB Cares’ is being appreciated, there’s a growing call for more accountability and better crowd management in future celebrations.
As Bengaluru mourns, the moment serves as a painful reminder of the importance of safety and planning in large-scale public gatherings. The city, RCB, and the cricketing world now unite not just in celebration, but also in grief and reflection.
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