BJP demands emergency meet after Bengaluru stampede

Bengaluru

Following the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 people dead, the Opposition BJP has called for an emergency session of the Karnataka state legislature. The incident occurred during celebrations after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) win and has sparked a major debate over public safety and crowd control in the city.

In a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka demanded a special three-day session to discuss the tragedy. He said the stampede highlighted serious concerns about how public events are organized and accused the government of administrative failure. He also alleged that authorities are trying to protect powerful individuals by blaming junior officials.

Ashoka’s letter urged the government to explain its plan to prevent such disasters in the future. He also called for a full investigation into the stampede, improved safety rules for large gatherings, medical care for the injured, and fair compensation for victims’ families.

In response to the growing criticism, Karnataka Law Minister H K Patil said on Saturday that a new law is being drafted to manage large crowds at public events. “The Law Department is preparing a Bill. It will be shared with the Cabinet in the next one or two weeks. If approved, we’ll bring it into effect soon,” Patil told reporters.

The proposed law will set limits on the number of people allowed at large gatherings, including sports matches, weddings, and political rallies. Patil stressed that blaming the police alone is not a solution, and that structured regulations are needed.

As public pressure grows, both government and opposition leaders agree on one point — stronger laws and better planning are urgently needed to avoid such tragic events in the future.