The tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 victory parade has prompted a strong response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Devajit Saikia, BCCI’s secretary, addressed the horrific incident that unfolded on June 4, expressing the board’s deep concern and promising proactive steps to prevent such disasters in the future.
While acknowledging that the event was organised privately by the RCB franchise, Devajit Saikia emphasised that the BCCI cannot remain a passive observer when the sport’s image and the safety of its followers are at stake.
“At some stage, the BCCI will have to act. We cannot be silent spectators. Although this was RCB’s private affair, we are ultimately responsible for cricket in India, and we will ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” Devajit Saikia told Cricbuzz.
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India head coach Gautam Gambhir also voiced his displeasure over such high-profile public events, questioning the necessity of roadshows that could endanger public safety. He drew from personal experience to emphasise the value of caution over celebration.
“I never supported roadshows as a player, and I don’t support them now. Winning is special, and celebrations matter, but no celebration is more important than a human life. If we cannot manage crowds safely, these roadshows should simply not happen,” Gautam Gambhir remarked.
The June 4 celebration descended into chaos when over two lakh fans gathered outside the stadium, far exceeding expectations and stretching the city’s policing resources. The resulting stampede claimed 11 lives and left many others injured, sparking national outrage and swift administrative action.
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In response, the Karnataka government arrested one RCB official and three representatives of DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the event management agency, placing them in 14-day judicial custody. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court granted interim protection from arrest to top officials of the KSCA, pending further hearings. The tragedy has prompted urgent calls for better planning, accountability, and crowd control in cricket-related events moving forward.
