Bengaluru stampede: Does nobody care?

What was intended to be a momentous celebration for RCB supporters transformed into a dreadful tragedy. After enduring 18 long years for an IPL triumph, the elation in Bengaluru, Karnataka, swiftly shifted to sorrow when a significant stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in the loss of 11 innocent lives. From 13-year-old Divyanshi, who came to witness her idol Virat Kohli… to young achievers such as Shiva, Chinmayi, Prajwal, Poorna, and Manoj — the lives that were lost were filled with potential. Their families are now burdened with grief, loss, and one pressing question: Who will assume responsibility?

In spite of police alerts and concerns regarding crowd management, no adequate measures were implemented. While leaders shift the blame, mourning families seek answers and justice. Watch the complete report from ground zero, showcasing heart-wrenching narratives from the victims' families and the oversights that contributed to this avoidable disaster.

Stampede: India's dark history

According to recent reports, over 50 people have been killed in stampedes in India this year alone. Looking at the last ten years, some of the major stampede incidents include ¹ ²:

- 2013: 115 people died in a stampede during Navratri festivities near Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district.

- 2014: 32 people were killed in a stampede at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Bihar, after Dussehra celebrations.

- 2015: 27 pilgrims died in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, during the Godavari Maha Pushkaram festival.

- 2017: 23 people lost their lives in a stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station in Mumbai due to overcrowding during morning rush hour.

- 2022: 12 people died in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir due to a heavy rush of devotees.

- 2023: 36 people died when a slab collapsed during a 'havan' ceremony at a temple in Indore city.

- 2024:

 - 121 people, including women and children, were killed in a stampede at a 'satsang' in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district due to poor crowd management.

  - A 35-year-old woman died in a stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad while watching a movie.

- 2025:

 - 11 people died in a stampede while celebrating RCB's maiden IPL win near Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

- 6 people died in a stampede during an annual festival at Sri Lairai Devi temple in Goa.

- 6 devotees were killed in a stampede at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala Hills while jostling for tickets.

- A stampede occurred in the Sangam Nose area of Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on January 28, as thousands of devotees hurried to partake in the sacred bath during the significant event of Mauni Amavasya.

Some of the deadliest stampedes in India include ²:

- Mandhardevi Temple Stampede (2005): Over 265 devotees lost their lives in a stampede at the Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra due to slippery steps.

- Naina Devi Temple Stampede (2008): Around 145 Hindu pilgrims died in a stampede at the Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh due to rumours of a landslide.

- Chamundagar Temple Stampede (2008): 250 pilgrims lost their lives in a stampede at the Chamundagar temple in Rajasthan during Navratri celebrations.

These incidents highlight the need for better crowd management and infrastructure at public events and religious gatherings in India.