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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru stampede: Nine eyewitnesses testify in RCB event tragedy that killed 11
As the magisterial inquiry into the tragic stampede at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) event nears completion, nine eyewitnesses, including four journalists, appeared before Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesh on Friday to record their statements, Deccan Herald reported. Fans wave as a bus carrying the IPL 2025 winning Royal Challengers Bengaluru team arrives at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.(HT_PRINT) The testimonies mark the concluding leg of the investigation being conducted by Jagadeesh, who has, over the past three weeks, heard from all relevant stakeholders, including former city Police Commissioner B Dayanand, the report further added. (Also read: Stuck in Bengaluru traffic, resident coins Newton's 'fourth' law: 'Auto at rest will remain at rest') Details of eyewitnesses Among those who deposed was Kamaresh, a 53-year-old resident of Bapujinagar and a poultry shop owner. Recalling the chaos at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, he described a narrow escape, 'There was a sudden rush to enter the stadium from Gate 21 as soon as it was opened. I was in the crowd but decided to step back as the crowd was largely youngsters trying to push each other to get into the stadium,' he said according to the publication. Kamaresh had arrived to see the cricketers after learning that entry to the event was free. (Also Read: Bengaluru commuters brace for toll hikes on elevated expressway starting July 2025: Report) The stampede, which broke out during the RCB victory celebration, claimed the lives of 11 people and sparked citywide outrage over crowd management failures. Prior to Friday's session, the deputy commissioner had already recorded statements from officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), RCB representatives, the event organisers, DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd., law enforcement personnel, injured attendees, and families of the deceased. Jagadeesh also visited the stadium earlier and reviewed CCTV footage from the day of the incident. (Also Read: Centre approves suspension of three IPS officers over Bengaluru stampede incident: Report)
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
60,000-seater multi-purpose stadium to come up in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: A new multi-purpose stadium will be constructed in Bengaluru with a seating capacity of 60,000 for which the government has already identified around 50 acres of land, announced Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The announcement comes three weeks after the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebrations, which claimed 11 lives. Speaking at the 516th birth anniversary celebration of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda organised by the Department Kannada and Culture Department, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Development Authority here on Friday, Shivakumar said that three places have been identified for the project by former MP DK Suresh and the project may require up to 50 acres of land. 'The preparations for the project is in full swing,' he added. Shivakumar, who also holds the portfolio of Bengaluru Development, said, 'Developing Bengaluru is not easy as its population has been increasing. We have launched a 40-km tunnel road, planned a network of flyovers spanning 118-km, and lined up Rs 1 lakh crore worth projects in the next three to four years.' Noting that the government is stressing on creating a clean Bengaluru, the DCM said, 'We're determined to dismantle the garbage mafia. Waste generated in Bengaluru should be handled within Bengaluru without burdening other districts.' Before the event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah laid the foundation stone for the Kempegowda Bhavan at Sumanahalli Circle. He assured that the building will be constructed at the earliest and that he himself will inaugurate it upon completion. Spatikapuri Mahasamsthana Mutt head Nanjavadhuta Swamiji, also present at the event, urged the government to include Kempegowda's contributions in school curriculums and proposed that a major university be named after him to educate future generations about the city's visionary founder.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
RCB stampede: Siddaramaiah pulls up top cops for shoddy probe
Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday came down heavily on top police officers in Karnataka, pulling them up for poor quality of investigations and lack of proper information of critical events while referring to the delay in informing about stampede deaths during Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) victory celebrations. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah (CMofKarnataka-X) Speaking at a review meeting held at the office of the director general of police in Bengaluru, the chief minister issued a series of stern directions to restore public confidence in law enforcement. 'Though the overall crime rate in the state is lower, the quality of police investigations has significantly declined. This must be improved immediately,' Siddaramaiah said, addressing senior police officials. The chief minister expressed dismay over the delay in arresting an accused in the Bidar robbery case. 'The accused has been identified, but it has been five months and still no arrest. This is unacceptable,' he said. Pointing to the recent stampede in wake of celebration of RCB's victory in IPL in Bengaluru that left 11 people dead, Siddaramaiah said, 'I have been an MLA since 1983 and also served as chief minister earlier. Never have I seen such a riot incident in Bengaluru. Why do we even have an intelligence department if it cannot provide timely and accurate information?' He continued, 'The deaths occurred by 3.50 pm that day. Yet, even when I asked at 5.45 pm, I was told only one person had died, when in fact, 11 had already lost their lives. If senior officials had given me accurate information in time, I could have cancelled the stadium event. Isn't this a clear failure?' Siddaramaiah also admitted he was upset about having to suspend senior officers. 'It pained me to suspend senior officials, but wasn't there a mistake? We can't shy away from action just because they're high-ranking,' he said. Criticising the police further for systemic shortcomings, he noted: 'Charge sheets in criminal cases are often delayed, incomplete or ineffective. This is a major failure. Such lapses are intolerable.' The chief minister questioned why only Mangaluru district has seen frequent communal unrest. 'Why is it that only Mangaluru is consistently volatile? Why are such crimes not happening elsewhere?' he asked. He grilled the officers on why no suo motu action is being taken against those delivering hate speeches. 'Why is no suo motu action being taken against those who speak hatefully or disturb peace in the state? If you don't act, we will be forced to act against you,' he warned. He instructed the department to identify and act against individuals disturbing communal harmony in Dakshina Kannada district. 'Whoever is behind the unrest—trace them to the root and take the strictest legal action,' he said. The chief minister said it is the government's responsibility to ensure law and order. 'We are not here to sit idle blaming the system. Police stations should be citizen-friendly. At the same time, we must create an atmosphere where there is fear of the law among those with criminal intent,' he told the officers. He also announced plans to fill vacant posts in the police department. 'Recruitment for vacant positions will begin in two months. I've already allocated substantial funds to address departmental needs. I expect you to maintain peace and uphold law and order. It is your duty to ensure justice for both the powerful and the powerless,' he added. Reinforcing the importance of the rule of law in a democracy, he said, 'We have accepted democracy and the Constitution. We have pledged to uphold justice for all communities. So behave accordingly.' 'Police performance is crucial for maintaining peace in society. Listening to the problems of citizens and responding to their suffering is a core responsibility of the police in a democracy,' Siddaramaiah concluded. The meeting was attended by home minister G Parameshwara, chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh, additional chief secretary Anjum Parvez, home department ACS Gaurav Gupta, and DGP Alok Mohan Salim, among others.
Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Bengaluru stampede: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah tells senior police officers that he was informed of only one death when 11 had occurred
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Friday claimed that the police informed him about only one stampede death on the evening of June 4, although 11 people had lost their lives in the crush that occurred when fans of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket team gathered outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium to celebrate the franchise's victory in the Indian Premier League. 'The deaths occurred from 3.50 pm on the day of the stampede. However, the correct information was not given. Isn't this wrong? Even when I asked at 5.45 pm, they informed me that there was only one death. By then, 11 deaths had already occurred,' Siddaramaiah said at an annual meeting of senior police officers in Bengaluru. The Karnataka CM made the statement by way of a justification for the suspension of five police officers – including the former Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda, and two IPS officers of the rank of inspector general of police and superintendent of police. 'If the senior officers had given us the correct information immediately, the stadium program could have been cancelled,' Siddaramaiah said while referring to the events held on June 4 to felicitate the RCB team – first at the Vidhana Soudha and later at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. 'I have been an MLA since 1983 and a CM on two occasions. I have never seen such a stampede in Bengaluru before. Why is there an intelligence department? They did not provide proper and comprehensive information. As a result, 11 people died,' he said. The stadium stampede also resulted in the transfer of the state intelligence chief. 'I am also saddened that senior officials had to be suspended. But is it not true that there was a mistake?' the Karnataka chief minister said in a poser to the senior police officials. The investigation into the stampede deaths has revealed that the first death was recorded at 3.45 pm. The probe has also revealed that 10 more deaths were recorded at three hospitals in central Bengaluru from 4.15 pm to 5.15 pm, even as the felicitation and celebration of the RCB cricket team were on at the two separate events. The Opposition parties in Karnataka have accused the Congress government of going on with the victory celebrations despite deaths of fans being registered at hospitals ahead of the first event and through the course of the first and second events. The government order suspending the five police officers had stated that the 'situation was not discussed with the higher-ups for taking necessary guidance and advice in the matter. As a result, the situation went out of control and brought a lot of misery, loss of precious life, and embarrassment to the government.' At the meeting with senior police officers on Friday, the Karnataka CM also called for better quality investigations of cases in the state by the police. 'The failure to file chargesheets in criminal cases effectively and on time is also a major failure. Such a thing cannot be tolerated,' he said. On the issue of communal polarisation in the coastal districts of Karnataka being used as a political strategy by different radical groups, the Karnataka CM called for the police to take action against those who make hate speeches. 'If you do not take action, then we should take action against you,' he said.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Bengaluru Man's Post On How Speaking Local Language Changes Everything Is Viral
Last Updated: An entrepreneur revealed how people often assume he is from North Indian, partly due to his upbringing and skin tone. An entrepreneur shared a personal experience that struck a chord online. Raised in North India and speaking with a Hindi accent, Srijan R Shetty said people often assume he's a North Indian, partly due to his upbringing and skin tone. However, when he speaks Kannada, especially with a Mangalorean-style accent, the response from locals becomes noticeably warmer and more welcoming. His post on X (formerly Twitter) comes amid broader conversations about cultural connections and everyday interactions in Bengaluru. 'Every time, I start speaking in Kannada with a stranger, I'm met with eyes full of surprise and joy," Shetty said. He further wrote, 'The conversation is joyous, and there is always a question of how I manage to pick up Kannada. Once they realise I'm one of their own, it's funny about how my diction is a bit off, and maybe it's because I'm Mangalorean. They usually say this to not embarrass me because my diction isn't perfect," he added. He also explained that while there are political issues related to language and identity, most people in Bengaluru are welcoming. 'Yes, there's a narrative that some locals feel left out of the city's rapid growth," he acknowledged. 'But I've found that very few will force you to speak Kannada. On the contrary, even small efforts are met with kindness and inclusion," he said. Shetty added that Kannada has many regional versions, and some, especially those influenced by Konkani, can be difficult to follow. Still, he believes what matters most is the willingness to try. 'People recognise effort," he added. 'In my experience, if you try to speak the language, you're often treated like one of their own." He ended his post with a light-hearted line: 'P.S.: In my books, if you have supported RCB through their bad times, you are Bangalorean enough." Posted on June 26, the post has received over 9,000 views and has resonated with many users. A user commented, 'Totally relatable. I'm a Tulu-speaking Mangalorean, born in Dubai, lived in the US, and now settled in Bangalore. And yes, I'm a Shetty too." Another user said, 'In my city, if I speak in Kannada, people reply back in Hindi 50 per cent of the time. In Bangalore, people reply back in English for 10 per cent of the time. No surprise or no poor dialect, got the most fun dialect (UK). Just that peeps want to make you comfortable, so they switch languages." Few responded with playful comments, teasing Shetty: 'Nice try, Srijan from Delhi." Just like Srijan R Shetty's post on speaking Kannada struck a chord online, another story is winning hearts; a Tibetan man's heartfelt message about embracing the local language. Watch the video here: After drinking Kaveri water you speak Kannada automatically. This statement is not true for our fellow North Indians. #StopHindiImposition. — Dr Prisha Sargam (@PrishaSargam) June 14, 2025 In a vox pop-style video, the young man speaks fluent Kannada and talks about how deeply connected he feels to the language. His respect for Kannada and his smooth command over it have earned him a wave of appreciation from people across platforms.
