'Playing Politics Over Dead Bodies': DK Shivakumar Breaks Down Over Bengaluru Stampede

Following a stampede near M Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 during IPL victory celebrations, a visibly emotional Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar addressed the media.

DK Shivakumar broke down, admitting the situation was uncontrollable and that the Police Commissioner had instructed him to end the event quickly after initial reports of casualties.

Source : X

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar broke down in front of the media on Thursday as he addressed the public for the first time following the tragic stampede near M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL victory celebrations.

Visibly shaken and emotional, Shivakumar admitted that the situation spiraled beyond control. He said that the Police Commissioner instructed him to end the event in 10 minutes and informed him that 1-2 lives were lost in the stampede. 

 

#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar breaks down as he comes out to address the media for the first time after the #BengaluruStampede. pic.twitter.com/1GDMZOBAm4

— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2025

 

'Playing Politics On Dead Bodies': DK Shivakumar

He accused BJP and JD(S) of playing politics. Shivakumar told ANI, "I don't want to play dirty politics. BJP and JDS always play politics on dead bodies; that is their political agenda. But they should see what they have done, we are deeply hurt, the image of Karnataka, Bangalore, we take it, we are not blaming others, though it has happened very unexpectedly."

Further, he said that they were all deeply hurt since the victims were from "their own family". Shivakumar said, as per PTI, "The image of Karnataka, the image of Bengaluru...Yes we take it (responsibility). We are not blaming others though it has happened very unexpectedly. No one expected such a crowd. After 18 years (of wait for RCB's victory), I don't know what was boiling in the youngsters and they all came. That is debatable...things have happened".

He denied the request of a woman who sought not to conduct post-mortem on her son's remains. He said that they should take up a legal route. He said, "Whether it was an accident, whether someone has stamped him or stabbed him that report has to come from the health authorities. Only if a post-mortem is done, we will know it."