Bengaluru stampede: Opposition says Congress high command should sack Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy claims police were not at fault, and had advised against holding such a big show.

The opposition BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) demanded the sacking of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar over the death of 11 persons in a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4 during the celebrations of the victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2025 edition of the IPL.

“If the Congress high command has some shame, it has to remove both. The deaths occurred due to the ego of leaders here. Their replacement will help Karnataka, and prevent a repeat of such situations. They should pay the price for the stampede,” Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy told mediapersons in Bengaluru during a joint press conference of the alliance partners.

“Even after information of the first death came at 3.10 p.m., action was not taken. The Chief Minister was having basundi and masala dosa at Janardhan Hotel with his grandson while the Deputy Chief Minister was inside the stadium felicitating the players.”

On the claim that the Chief Minister did not have information about the stampede at that point, the Union Minister said, “If they did not know, then it is inefficiency of the government. Intelligence is in his hands.”

Claiming that the police were not at fault and had advised against holding such a big show, he said, “To cover up the failure of the political leadership, police officials have been punished. Police officers were suspended to show some action to the High Court of Karnataka since the case is coming up for hearing on June 10. Who in the Cabinet meeting insisted on the suspension of (Police Commissioner) B. Dayanand? The FIR shows that the police were not at fault. The government is manipulating to save its face. Home Minister G. Parameshwar acts as told.”

Alleging that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were “in a competition to boost their images”, he said, “The Chief Minister did not want to go to the stadium citing that the liquor company was organising the celebration. His Political Secretary K. Govindraju advised to hold the show at Vidhan Soudha. Mr. Govindraju enacted the drama and the advise was given to boost the image of the Chief Minister.” On the other hand, the Deputy Chief Minister was also trying to boost his image by going to the airport to receive the team and pilot them to the City. “It was personal ego and attempt to improve their image that took lives of 11 persons.”

Questioning the rationale behind holding two felicitation functions, he said ministers, legislators and their family members were competing to take photographs with the players. Questioning institution of three inquiries, Mr. Kumaraswamy asked, “Why after the magisterial inquiry was ordered, a commission was set up under Michael D’Cunha? Why is there a CID inquiry? Which report will you accept?” On the allegations by the Congress that the Opposition was playing politics, he said: “It is the job of the Opposition to act when Government commits mistakes.”