K’taka CM & Dy CM directly responsible for stampede: LoP R Ashoka
Tragedy struck Bengaluru on Saturday when 11 people lost their lives in a stampede that occurred outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where a cricket match was being played. The incident has left the city in shock, with many demanding answers and accountability from the authorities. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, has squarely put the responsibility on the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, stating that they are directly responsible for the stampede.
Speaking to the media, Ashoka demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a High Court judge to probe the incident. “Justice must be delivered for these deaths, and those responsible must be punished,” he added. The LoP’s statement comes as a stern rebuke to the ruling government, which has been facing criticism for its handling of the situation.
According to eyewitnesses, the stampede occurred when a large crowd of people, mostly women and children, rushed towards the stadium’s gates to get a glimpse of the players after the match. The gates, which were supposed to be opened at the designated time, were suddenly thrown open without warning, leading to chaos and panic. The stampede resulted in 11 people losing their lives, with many more injured.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the authorities’ preparedness to handle such a large crowd. The Chinnaswamy Stadium has a seating capacity of over 40,000, but on Saturday, the crowd was estimated to be far larger. The authorities had failed to provide adequate security measures, leading to the tragic outcome.
Ashoka’s statement has put the spotlight back on the government’s handling of the situation. The LoP has been vocal about the government’s failures and has been demanding an SIT probe into the incident. “The government has failed in its duty to provide adequate security and infrastructure to the people. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are directly responsible for this tragedy,” Ashoka said.
The opposition has been criticizing the government for its lack of preparedness and its failure to provide adequate security measures. The government, on the other hand, has been attempting to shift the blame to the organizers of the event. The organizers, however, have denied any wrongdoing, stating that they had followed all the necessary guidelines and protocols.
The government’s handling of the situation has come under scrutiny, with many questioning its response to the tragedy. The Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has been accused of being out of touch with reality, with some even calling for his resignation. The Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, has been criticized for his role in the incident, with some saying that he should have taken prompt action to prevent the stampede.
The incident has also raised questions about the safety and security measures in place at the stadium. The stadium has a reputation for being one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the country, but the incident has exposed the authorities’ lack of preparedness to handle large crowds.
The LoP’s demand for an SIT probe is seen as a step in the right direction. An independent probe into the incident will help to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice. The government’s reluctance to order an SIT probe has been criticized, with many saying that it is an attempt to cover up the truth.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: justice must be delivered for the 11 people who lost their lives in the stampede. The authorities must take immediate action to ensure that such a tragedy does not occur again. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister must take responsibility for their actions and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
