Loss of life is very tragic. It was unfortunate to see the loss of eleven people in the victory celebration of RCB after winning the IPL trophy. My condolences are with the family of the deceased. After the incident, a few things unfolded. First, Politics come into play, and second, the game of blaming for accountability.

Accountability must be fixed.

Accountability is due, and it is on all the people who are responsible. The question is, who is responsible? The chatter over social media and politics is based on their convenience, and they are labelling those people as the culprit who fits their thoughts and propaganda. Let’s analyse them one by one.

First, RCB and Virat Kohli. RCB and the players of the franchise won the trophy, and they wanted to celebrate. Is there negligence on their part? No. Did they start to throw their jersey or balls for the crowd? No. Did they do anything during that parade that created a rush situation? No.

Were they responsible for crowd management? NO. It is just the hatred of people towards Virat Kohli to blame him and his wife.

It is the administration that is responsible for managing the crowd. There are some reports that police denied the open bus parade. If this was the case, then why was it allowed when, in the first place, police were not ready to manage it in that short period?

Second, the Government and Congress in particular. One thing that is very beautiful in Indian politics is that the problem is visible only in a state where the opposition party is ruling. What the BJP is doing is nothing but politics. If this stampede is due to Congress, then who is responsible for the stampede at New Delhi Railway station, the Stampede during Mahakumbh? Yes, Congress is responsible if the government pushes the police and forces them to permit for parade even after objections.

And another thing, what role does any politician play in winning a franchise which is named after a city? Why were the CM and Deputy CM there?

The government is accountable and responsible for managing all these gatherings. It does not matter which party is ruling. The government is not prepared, nor is it a political party.

Third, Fans and people themself. Fans and people who are going to any event go as an individuals. They have no idea about the crowd that will gather, where individuals become unmanageable. Yes, it is acceptable to some extent when people behave in an uncivil way and put their own lives at stake along with others. Climbing very high walls, jumping from a height, climbing on top of a tree, and ignoring the electric wire above the head. This is nothing but nonsense from the people’s side. They forget everything in madness. But are they only responsible? NO. It is the administration and job of the people to manage them. Make proper rules and implement them on the ground.

THEN WHO?

It is the administration, police and to some extent Government and the Karnataka cricket board. It was a big happiness for the fans to see their team win after so many years. A huge crowd was expected. First, why is there a free pass collection at the stadium? It can easily be made available on online platforms. Second, free passes must be issued based on the capacity of the stadium to host people. It was completely ignored.

The crowd was not managed well. People were not stopped from entering, making the stadium overcrowded.

It is the job of the administration and police to control the crowd. It is the police who implement the SOP for managing crowds on the field.

Accountability is the tool for good governance. Fix it and punish all those responsible.

Divyanshu Singh

(Views expressed are personal)