Devajit Saikia express himself after the Bengaluru incident (Source:@nikkhilknows,x.com)
What was meant to be a grand celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title win turned into a tragedy, as a massive stampede took place outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025.
In the incident, 11 people have reportedly lost their lives and left more than 50 injured. The happening has prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reassess how victory celebrations should be organised in the future.
Among the deceased was a child, and dozens more were rushed to local hospitals with injuries ranging from fractures to choking-related trauma. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic, confusion, and mismanagement as fans pushed through barricades amid unclear instructions and last-minute changes to the celebration plan.
BCCI Calls Tragedy A Wake-Up Call
In the aftermath, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed deep sorrow and described the incident as a wake-up call for the cricket board and IPL franchises.
“This is eye-opener and we have to think about what we should do in such situations. There will be a winner every year and there will be a celebration in their home city. So we have to learn a lesson so it doesn’t happen in the future," Saikia told The Indian Express.
He clarified that the BCCI does not have any control over private celebrations held by franchises. However, in light of the tragedy, the board will soon deliberate on new protocols and safety measures for public gatherings post-tournament.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), we had 1,32,000 people at the Narendra Modi Stadium. We took care of every minor detail about safety and crowd management, and there was not a single incident even though all the stands were full. There was proper policing and control. Something went terribly wrong today in Bengaluru but the BCCI has no role to play,” Saikia added.
Event Mismanagement Under Scrutiny
Several factors have come under scrutiny after the incident which include poor planning, lack of advance coordination, and abrupt communication.
Crucially, the announcement that special passes would be required for entry into the stadium was made just hours before the event. The delay in communication contributed to confusion among the crowd and fans, many of whom had already gathered in anticipation of the parade. The result was an uncontrolled surge at entry points, with fans pushing to secure a spot inside the venue.
It is important to note that the board is expected to develop clear guidelines for post-tournament celebrations. The protocol will include safety assessments, planning requirements, and closer oversight of public events involving franchises.
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