Stop blaming RCB players for stampede tragedy in Bengaluru!

On Wednesday night, as M Chinnaswamy Stadium erupted in celebration, tragedy unfolded just outside its gates.

Inside, it was pure euphoria—fireworks, dancing, and fans screaming after 18 long years of heartbreak. RCB had finally done it. But outside? A completely different story.

Thousands of ticketless fans gathered, hoping for a glimpse of history. Overwhelmed by emotion and chaos, some tried forcing their way in. That’s when disaster struck. In the frenzy, a stampede broke out, claiming the lives of 11 fans.

As chants of “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” echoed inside the stadium, the scene outside turned into one of sirens, panic, and loss.

Now, the internet jury is in full session. Some are blaming RCB’s victory parade and fanfare for the tragedy. Others even claim the players and management knew about the incident but chose to keep celebrating.

But here’s the thing—inside a packed, deafening stadium, news doesn’t always travel fast. Is it really fair to believe the players would keep celebrating if they knew? Probably not.

As soon as the news reached them, the mood shifted. Virat Kohli said he was “gutted.” RCB’s official account posted a heartfelt tribute to the victims. That fairytale ending? It now feels incomplete.

The big question remains: Was this negligence, or simply an uncontrollable crowd situation no one could’ve predicted?

One thing’s clear—while we debate accountability, let’s not forget the real tragedy. Eleven fans lost their lives. They came with dreams and didn’t return home.

RCB may have won the trophy, but the joy is bittersweet. This moment—18 years in the making—now carries an asterisk.

So before rushing to blame, maybe we should pause and reflect: How do we celebrate responsibly? And how do we make sure this never happens again?