Police Unease In Bengaluru As Heads Roll; BJP, Congress Spar Over ‘Scapegoat’ Charges

Last Updated:June 06, 2025, 16:24 IST

Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Congress leader Priyank Kharge | File Image/PTI

Dissent is growing within the Karnataka police following the suspension of senior officers in the aftermath of the Bengaluru stampede, with many personnel believing the police are being made “scapegoats” for the tragic incident that claimed 11 lives.

Police constable Narasimharaju staged a protest holding a photo of Dr BR Ambedkar, symbolising his call for justice. He also wrote a letter to the Governor, requesting the cancellation of Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand’s suspension.

In his letter, Narasimharaju urged the Governor to provide protection to the police force, highlighting concerns over the treatment of officers working under difficult conditions.

Meanwhile, the BJP slammed the Congress government in Karnataka over the stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, accusing the ruling party leaders of using cops as scapegoats to deflect blame.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa termed the state government’s response as “shameful,” accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of abandoning their moral responsibility during the unfolding tragedy.

“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,” Yediyurappa said in a post on X in Kannada.

“To calm public anger, they have made five police officers, including the Police Commissioner, scapegoats. This is a dark chapter in Karunad’s history,” he added.

The BJP’s attack follows Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision to suspend Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, along with several senior officials — including the ACP, DCP (Central), Cubbon Park SHO, and the stadium in-charge — in the wake of the stampede.

The incident took place on Wednesday evening outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during the IPL victory celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which was co-hosted by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and DNA Networks.

Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, also voiced similar concerns, questioning the apparent contradictions within the Congress leadership.

“Yesterday, DK Shivakumar said the police had issued prior warnings and were not responsible. Now Siddaramaiah has suspended the Police Commissioner and several other top officials. What is going on?”

Further holding the Congress leadership responsible for the stampede, he said, “It was the police only who took all the injured people and the bodies to hospitals. The police gave first aid, did everything,” he said.

“Do hard work but get bad remarks in return. This is the government.”

An FIR was registered on Thursday against the RCB franchise, event manager DNA Entertainment, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) management, and others. The case is now being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge responded on Friday to the recent stampede in Bengaluru, confirming that the officials involved had been suspended and that a magisterial inquiry had been initiated to probe the incident.

“The officers who are responsible have been suspended. We have made no scapegoats… A magisterial enquiry has been ordered and our next action will be according to the findings of the enquiry,” Kharge said.

Further, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the government did not organise the celebrations at the stadium.

“We did not make any request to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise or the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in this regard, and they had organised the victory celebration event. The government also felt that it should felicitate the players and be a part of the celebration because it was a Bengaluru team. That’s all,” he said.

The Karnataka High Court, taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, issued a notice to the state government and requested a status report. The matter has been scheduled for the next hearing on June 10.

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be…Read More

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be… Read More

Source link