Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday announced financial support of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the eleven deceased in the tragic stampede that occurred during the team’s celebratory gathering in the city.
Anguish And Pain
In an official statement, the franchise said the unfortunate incident has caused “a lot of anguish and pain to the RCB family.”
Expressing solidarity with the grieving families and those injured, RCB said: “As a mark of respect and a gesture of solidarity, RCB has announced a financial support of Rs 10 lakh to each of the eleven families of the deceased.”
RCB Cares
The statement also announced the establishment of a special relief initiative called ‘RCB Cares’ which aims to support fans injured in the tragedy. “Our fans will always remain at the heart of everything that we do. We remain united in grief,” the franchise said.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday (rpt) Wednesday during a massive public turnout to celebrate RCB’s recent IPL triumph, resulting in a deadly stampede that claimed 11 lives and left several others injured.
Investigation On
RCB’s gesture follows widespread calls for accountability and support from across the cricketing and political spectrum. Further investigation into the circumstances leading to the stampede is on.
BJP Demanded Judicial Probe
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday demanded a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge and compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the families of each deceased victim in the stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium ahead of IPL winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) victory celebrations.
Eleven people died and 33 others were injured on Wednesday in the tragic incident.
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress-run Karnataka government, BJP state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa held it “squarely responsible” for the stampede.
He said the incident denoted a “criminal failure of governance”.
Vijayendra Yediyurappa Statement
Addressing a media conference, Vijayendra accused the Congress government of turning a celebration into a “catastrophe” through its “gross negligence”.
“This was not an accident — this was avoidable, and it happened because the state government failed in its fundamental duty to protect its people. When over two lakh fans had gathered, there was no crowd management, no police preparedness, and no safety protocol,” he said.