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.