Bengaluru, India – June 9, 2025 – A chilling warning issued by a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fan club in 2024 about safety concerns in Bengaluru, particularly at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, has resurfaced and gone viral following a tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebrations. The incident, which turned a historic moment into a disaster, resulted in the loss of 11 lives and numerous injuries, prompting widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
The Tragic IPL 2025 Celebration
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden IPL title in 2025, defeating Punjab Kings in the final. The victory sparked massive celebrations in Bengaluru, with thousands of fans gathering for a celebratory parade and felicitation event. However, what should have been a moment of joy turned tragic when a stampede broke out outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Initial reports indicate that over two lakh fans thronged the area, far exceeding the stadium’s capacity of 35,000. Lack of proper crowd control, inadequate security, and rumors of free passes contributed to the chaotic scenes.
CSK Fan Club’s Prescient Warning from 2024
In the wake of the tragedy, a tweet from a CSK fan club dating back to 2024 has gained significant traction. The resurfaced post highlighted concerns about security and safety at Chinnaswamy Stadium, specifically mentioning the treatment of women, children, and families during IPL games. The fan club’s 2024 warning stated, “What we can say is that Bengaluru is NOT safe for any women to watch an IPL game in Chinnaswamy if you are not part of the local fandom.” They further lamented that their previous concerns were dismissed by “trolls” and RCB management, who allegedly failed to acknowledge the problem.
Calls for Accountability and New Protocols
The Bengaluru stampede has ignited a fierce debate on fan safety, event management, and the responsibility of franchises and local authorities. The Karnataka government has initiated an inquiry into the incident, with multiple arrests made, including a top marketing official from RCB. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) officials have also resigned, taking moral responsibility.
Police officials have revealed that they had previously warned the Karnataka government about the risks of overcrowding and insufficient security for such large-scale events. A letter written by the DCP in charge of legislature security on the day of the tragedy had cautioned top bureaucrats about the potential for overcrowding.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also stated that it “cannot be a silent spectator” and plans to implement formal guidelines to regulate future post-title celebrations across the league to prevent such incidents from recurring. Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly advocated against open-road celebrations, suggesting they should be held indoors or in controlled stadium environments.
The Aftermath
The tragic stampede has cast a somber shadow over RCB’s historic victory. The franchise has announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased and is creating a fund, “RCB Cares,” to support the injured. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of robust crowd management and security protocols at large public gatherings, particularly in the context of passionate sporting events.
