‘I want to stay here with him’: Heartbroken father clings to son’s grave after Bengaluru stadium stampede

What began as a night of celebration after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) triumphant Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign ended in devastating tragedy last Wednesday, when a stampede at the gates of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and left at least 47 injured.

Among those who lost their lives was 21-year-old Bhumik Lakshman, a college student from Hassan district. His death, like many others, has left behind a family grappling with unimaginable grief — and raising questions about negligence and accountability.

A father’s grief caught on camera

A heartbreaking video that surfaced on social media shows Bhumik’s father, BT Lakshman, overcome with emotion as he clings to his son’s grave in their native village. In the video, Lakshman wails inconsolably, refusing to leave the burial site.

“He was my precious boy. An absolute gold son,” he sobs. “He wasn’t even into cricket or celebrities. He only went to see the stadium out of mild interest. For that... I lost him.”

As two men attempt to lift him from the ground, Lakshman resists, saying, “I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to stay here with him. No father should have to face what I am facing.”

A promising life cut short

Bhumik, described as disciplined, soft-spoken, and academically driven, was not known to chase after celebrity events or public gatherings. His father had no idea that what seemed like a routine outing would be his son’s last.

Speaking to local media, Mr. Lakshman had earlier appealed to authorities to release his son’s body without a post-mortem.

"I had only one son. Please don't cut his body open. Nothing they do now can bring him back," he said.

A tragedy born of negligence?

For Lakshman, this wasn’t just a personal loss — it was the result of systemic failure.

“With all the taxes we pay, couldn’t they have ensured a safe event? No ambulances, no proper security. They took care of VIPs and their families, but not us,” he said, visibly angry. “They looted our money and gave us death.”

He accused government officials of using the event for self-promotion while ignoring basic safety protocols. “They made money off my son’s death. And now they’re hiding.”

Government crackdown follows outrage

Following public fury, authorities have taken swift action. Four people have been arrested in connection with the stampede. Five senior police officials, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner, have been suspended. The Karnataka government also dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Political Secretary, K. Govindaraj, and removed the state intelligence chief.

While the investigation continues, for families like the Lakshmans, no measure will undo what has been lost.