Former India cricketer Madan Lal has strongly criticized the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise and the Karnataka state government over the tragic stampede incident that occurred during the team’s IPL victory celebrations.
Lal questioned the urgency of holding a public event just four hours after the team’s arrival, suggesting that the parade could have been organized a few days later without losing the enthusiasm of the fans.
“The celebrations could have been held two or three days later, and RCB fans would have still shown up in full spirit. Had that been done, this incident might have been prevented,” he said.
“Franchise Owner Made a Big Mistake”
Madan Lal didn’t hold back in blaming the franchise owners, stating that they made a “big mistake” by pushing for immediate celebrations despite warning signs.
“The team was taken out for a public celebration just four hours after landing. What was the urgency? The franchise owner made an error in judgment,” Lal stated.
Police Denied Permission, RCB Pushed Ahead
Reports reveal that the Bengaluru Traffic Police had denied permission for a victory parade. Despite this, the RCB management reportedly lobbied for a brief procession from Vidhana Soudha to M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which went ahead under questionable coordination.
Lal emphasized that while the state government bears responsibility, RCB must also share the blame for proceeding with such haste.
“BCCI Not to Blame”
The former World Cup winner defended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying:
“BCCI cannot be blamed. It was RCB’s responsibility. They should have coordinated properly with the government. Who will take care of the families who lost someone?”
“Hollow Joy, Human Lives Undervalued”
Reflecting on the emotional fallout, Lal concluded:
“All that joy and celebration now feels hollow. There was absolutely no need for such a hurried celebration. Sadly, in our country, human lives continue to be undervalued.”
The incident has triggered widespread calls for greater accountability from both sports franchises and civic authorities when planning large-scale public gatherings.
