K’taka CM & Dy CM directly responsible for stampede: LoP R Ashoka
A tragic stampede that occurred outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2022, has left 11 people dead and many more injured. The incident has sent shockwaves across the state, with political parties and citizens alike expressing outrage and grief. In the aftermath of this devastating tragedy, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, has made some explosive allegations, holding the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar directly responsible for the stampede.
According to reports, the stampede took place when a large crowd gathered outside the stadium, which was hosting a match between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The situation quickly spiralled out of control as people pushed and shoved to get closer to the entrance, resulting in a stampede that left many injured and 11 dead.
In the wake of this tragedy, R Ashoka, the LoP, has demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a High Court judge to probe the incident. Speaking to the media, Ashoka said, “CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, are directly responsible for the stampede. They have been negligent in their duties and have failed to provide adequate security and crowd management measures.”
Ashoka’s comments are the strongest yet from any political leader in the state, and they have sparked a heated debate about the role of the government in the stampede. While the police and stadium authorities have initiated their own investigations, Ashoka believes that a SIT probe is necessary to ensure that those responsible for the tragedy are held accountable.
“Justice must be delivered for these deaths, and those responsible must be punished,” Ashoka said, emphasizing the need for a thorough and impartial investigation. “The people of Karnataka have a right to know what led to this tragedy, and the government must take responsibility for its actions.”
Ashoka’s allegations against the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are not unfounded. The stadium has a capacity of around 40,000, but it was clear that the authorities had underestimated the crowd size and were ill-prepared to handle the situation. The lack of adequate security measures, including insufficient personnel and inadequate crowd control measures, has been widely criticized.
The stampede has also raised questions about the government’s handling of crowd management and security in the state. The incident has highlighted the need for improved crowd control measures and adequate security arrangements at public events.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the government has promised to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. The Chief Minister has announced an inquiry into the incident, and the Deputy Chief Minister has ordered an investigation by the police. However, Ashoka believes that these measures are insufficient and that a SIT probe is necessary to get to the root of the tragedy.
The incident has also sparked a political debate in the state, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the government. The BJP, which has been critical of the government’s handling of the incident, has called for the resignation of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. The Congress, on the other hand, has defended the government’s actions and has accused the opposition of politicizing the tragedy.
As the investigation into the stampede continues, one thing is clear: the people of Karnataka demand justice and accountability for the tragedy. The government must take responsibility for its actions and ensure that those responsible for the tragedy are held accountable. The stampede is a wake-up call for the government to improve its crowd management and security measures, and to ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future.
