Bengaluru
In a sharp escalation of political pressure following the recent stampede tragedy, the Karnataka BJP has announced a protest at Freedom Park on June 17, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and the Home Minister. Former minister K. Gopalaiah made the announcement during a press conference held at the party headquarters.
Gopalaiah alleged that the incident was a result of gross negligence and mismanagement. “The tragedy near Vidhana Soudha was not an event of celebration, but a day of insult to the people,” he said. Citing poor crowd management, he noted that only four of the 21 gates at Chinnaswamy Stadium were opened, and similar crowding occurred near Vidhana Soudha. “The first death was reported at Bowring Hospital. The CM was informed late. Eleven people lost their lives—many from stable, respectable families. They didn’t need compensation; they wanted their children back,” he said emotionally.
Accusing the government of trying to deflect responsibility, Gopalaiah pointed out that the DCP had already warned the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) against organizing such an event. “Yet, action was taken against the police to cover up administrative failures,” he claimed, demanding the CM’s resignation. “Are you the Chief Minister of the entire state or just of Vidhana Soudha?” he asked.
The BJP plans to mobilize over 10,000 people for Tuesday’s protest, which will include a march to the CM’s residence. Gopalaiah also questioned the rationale behind the renewed caste census, asking, “Where did the ₹165 crore spent on the previous caste survey go?”
Council member N. Ravikumar echoed these concerns, stating that the police had earlier declined to provide security for the 'Vijayotsava' event. “Despite this, action was taken against senior police officials like the Police Commissioner. Now, to distract the public, the government is hiding behind the caste census,” he alleged.
Ravikumar also criticized the Congress leadership for withdrawing the controversial Kantharaj report on the caste census only after pressure from the party high command, not from public outcry or religious heads. “The stampede is a direct failure of the CM and DCM. Had such an incident occurred during BJP’s rule, Siddaramaiah would have broken down the gates of Vidhana Soudha in protest,” he added.
Both leaders demanded moral accountability and immediate resignations, blaming the government squarely for the tragedy.