Why Chinnaswamy stadium stampede is reminder of India’s public safety failures

If there’s anything that Indians are crazy about — apart, that is, from politics and Bollywood — it’s cricket. Cricket is not just a sport; it’s a national passion and pastime. Almost, it is almost a religion. Complete with its favourite deities (top rated cricketers), high priests (former players turned expert commentators), managers, team owners, and the millions upon millions of votaries.

Needless to add, it’s also big business, especially because the larger-than-life players become national heroes and celebrities, with huge endorsement revenues. As scandals in the past have proved, there is also the temptation and consequent downfall of succumbing to the enticements such as match fixing and betting.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have finally lifted the coveted IPL trophy, grabbing the limelight after 18 long years of waiting in the wings. This despite their having legendary players like the hard-hitting West Indian giant, Chris Gayle, and the wiliest swisher of the willow, A.B. de Villiers — not to mention the continuing presence and leadership of the greatest Indian cricketer of recent times, Virat Kohli.

But this great triumph, complete with a chartered flight to the HAL Airport, where the winning team was received by none less than the state’s deputy chief minister, D.K. Shivakumar, followed by a grand reception on the steps of the state Capitol, Vidhana Saudha. The victory parade was, thankfully, cancelled given how huge and unmanageable the ever-swelling crowds had become.

But tragedy still struck. How? A stampede, with fans literally crashing the gates of the stadium to witness the historic victory celebrations. At least 11 people died and close to 20 were brought to hospitals with injuries. Was the catastrophe avoidable? Most likely. As are many such mishaps in India, some of which I have covered in these columns in the past. These include the stampedes at religious gatherings like the Kumbh Mela and overcrowded railway stations or overbridges, also falling hoardings or deadly debris or loose scaffolding or material on construction sites. India’s public safety record leaves much to be desired, despite attempts to improve both crowd control and emergency response.

I have consistently called both for better preparation and greater accountability of the authorities, neither of which have really been implemented. Despite many other voices, some louder and more influential than mine, calling for similar measures. The fact is that accountability in Indian governance and management is the exception rather than the norm.

The root cause, if one reflects rather more deeply, is institutionalised callousness because of greed, corruption, and unethical exercise of power. Add to this a populace which is somewhat easy going when it comes to following rules and regulations. The result is massive evasion of responsibility at both the individual and collective levels. Elected leaders and appointed bureaucrats, too, have become adept at deflecting blame whenever something goes wrong. Then how, lower down the ladder, will lesser functionaries be any different?

The Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede is a grim reminder of the cost of systemic neglect. On that fateful day, thousands of fans thronged the stadium to celebrate RCB’s long-awaited IPL victory. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the euphoria of a city that had waited nearly two decades for this moment. Yet, what should have been a joyous occasion turned into a nightmare.

Reports indicate that the stampede occurred near the main entrance as fans rushed to catch a glimpse of their heroes during a post-match felicitation event. Overcrowding, inadequate security, and poor crowd management created a deadly bottleneck. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos — people stumbling, others trampled, and desperate cries for help drowned out by the panicked mob.

The Chinnaswamy incident highlights three critical issues: inadequate infrastructure, lax enforcement of safety protocols, and a cultural tendency to underestimate the risks of large gatherings.

First, the infrastructure at Chinnaswamy Stadium, while iconic, is not equipped to handle the sheer volume of fans that events like an IPL final attract. With an official capacity of 32,000, the stadium was overwhelmed by the influx of 10 times that number of fans, gathered to join the celebrations. Narrow entry and exit points, coupled with insufficient barricading, created a choke point that turned deadly. Urban India’s venues, whether stadiums or religious sites, are often designed with optimism rather than pragmatism, ignoring the reality of the country’s massive population and its fervour for events like cricket matches or religious festivals.

Second, safety protocols were either absent or poorly enforced. Event organisers and local authorities failed to implement basic crowd control measures, such as staggered entry, designated queuing areas, or adequate security personnel. Reports suggest that the police presence was insufficient, and private security was unprepared for the scale of the crowd. This is not unique to Bengaluru. Across India, event planning often prioritises spectacle over safety, with authorities turning a blind eye to violations of capacity limits or safety regulations. The temptation to maximise attendance and, yes, revenue override caution, with devastating consequences.

Third, the repeated underestimation of risk. Cricket fans, like devotees at religious gatherings, are driven by passion, often throwing caution to the wind in their eagerness to participate. The cancellation of the victory parade showed foresight, but was not enough to prevent the tragedy at the stadium. Public awareness campaigns, continuous announcements to direct crowds, even WhatsApp warning on crowd safety are virtually nonexistent, leaving fans unprepared for the dangers of overcrowding.

The Chinnaswamy stampede is a tragedy that taints RCB’s historic victory. It is a stark reminder that India’s love for cricket, while a source of unity and pride, cannot come at the cost of human lives. Virat Kohli and his team deserved their moment of glory, but the 11 lives lost and the dozens injured deserve more than fleeting headlines. India’s public safety record must improve, not just for cricket fans but for every citizen who gathers to celebrate, worship, or simply live.