**BJP Criticizes Karnataka Government Over Bengaluru Stampede Tragedy**
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a fierce critique of the Congress-led Karnataka government following a tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that resulted in the loss of 11 lives. The BJP accuses state leaders of using senior police officials as scapegoats to divert blame and mitigate public outrage.
Karnataka BJP chief and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa condemned the government’s response as “shameful,” asserting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar failed to take moral responsibility during the crisis. In a post on social media platform X, Yediyurappa stated, “It is a shameful act that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers themselves stood up and the entire government took responsibility for the system, and while celebrating RCB’s victory, they forgot their moral responsibility.” He further criticized the government for making five police officers, including the Police Commissioner, scapegoats to quell public anger, labeling it a “dark chapter in Karnataka’s history.”
Yediyurappa also accused the Congress government of attempting to preempt legal scrutiny by the High Court through the hasty suspension of officials, calling it a “selfish move to cling to power.” He urged the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Home Minister to resign if they had any remaining sense of morality.
R Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, echoed these sentiments, questioning the contradictory statements from Congress leaders. He pointed out that while DK Shivakumar claimed the police had issued prior warnings and were not at fault, Siddaramaiah subsequently suspended the Police Commissioner and other senior officials. Ashoka remarked, “What is going on?” He highlighted the inconsistency in the Congress leadership’s position, noting that Shivakumar had praised police officials just a day prior to their suspension.
The BJP’s criticism follows Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s announcement of the suspension of Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and other senior police officials, including the ACP, DCP (Central), Cubbon Park SHO, and the stadium in-charge, in the wake of the stampede. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening during a celebration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory, organized by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and DNA Networks.
In response to the tragedy, Siddaramaiah has directed the state police chief to take action against representatives of RCB, the event management company, and KSCA officials. A CID investigation has been ordered, and the government is considering the establishment of a judicial commission to examine any lapses.
**FAQ**
**What led to the stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium?**
The stampede occurred during a celebration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory, resulting in 11 fatalities and prompting significant criticism of the state government’s handling of the situation.