Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title celebration turned into a nightmare on June 4, 2025, when a deadly stampede broke out near the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. As massive crowds gathered to celebrate, chaos quickly erupted. The tragedy claimed the lives of eleven fans and injured over fifty others. In response, Kohli expresses grief over the RCB stampede, sharing his sorrow and condolences for the victims and their families.
Shortly after the incident, Virat Kohli broke his silence. He took to social media to express his grief. “Absolutely gutted,” he wrote. “At a loss for words. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones.”
RCB had organized the event to celebrate their historic IPL triumph. However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control due to overcrowding, poor management, and inadequate crowd control. Moreover, reports confirmed that the distribution of free passes triggered a surge as fans pushed toward the entry gates. The mounting pressure led to a deadly crush.
Emergency medical teams arrived promptly, yet despite their swift efforts, several people succumbed to their injuries. As a result, authorities immediately cancelled the open-bus parade scheduled for the evening, citing serious safety and public order concerns.
Meanwhile, political leaders called for accountability. The opposition strongly criticized the state government for negligence. Mr. Devajit Saikia said, “It is very unfortunate. This is a negative side of popularity. People are crazy about cricketers. The organisers should have planned it better. My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. I wish early recovery of the injured.”
Kohli, heartbroken by the tragedy, expressed not only his sorrow as a sportsman but also his pain as a fellow Indian mourning with the nation. Furthermore, RCB issued an official statement: “We are devastated. We stand with the affected families. Safety must always come first.”
On the other hand, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka demanded a judicial inquiry or CBI investigation into the stampede-like incident that led to multiple deaths at the stadium.
In conclusion, this devastating incident stands as a grim reminder that celebrations must never come at the cost of human life. While sporting victories bring people together, only responsible planning, strict crowd control, and adherence to safety protocols can ensure that such events remain moments of joy, not sorrow. As the cricketing world mourns, it must also act so that this tragedy is never repeated.
