What happened on the streets of Bengaluru wasn't an accident. It was a clear example of planned negligence, a failed system, and indifference supported by those in power.

The celebration of RCB's victory, which had brought joy across the city, quickly turned into screams, trampled bodies, and bloodshed in just a few minutes. Eleven people died, and dozens were injured. The most shameful part is that no VIP was even scratched, which is always the case.

Read in Hindi: जब क्रिकेट और सियासत की गठजोड़ में कुचले जाते हैं लोग...

Whether it's the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a religious gathering in Hathras, a bridge collapse in Mumbai, or now a stadium in Bengaluru, it's always the common person who dies. They don't receive a ‘VIP pass’ or ‘special entry’, and there's no bulletproof plan in place for their safety. All they get is the crowd, pushing, shoving, and ultimately, death.

Today, the IPL is more than just a sport; it's a multi-billion-dollar business. Its real goal isn't winning or sportsmanship, but gathering crowds and selling them to brands, sponsors, and politicians. Whether it's an RCB victory celebration or a team rally, these events are purely about money. The bigger the crowd, the greater the brand value. But when this very crowd becomes deadly, the organisers wash their hands of it.

The Karnataka Cricket Association had warned not to let more than 35,000 people outside the stadium. Yet, over three lakh people reached there. Who were the people who turned the streets into a death trap? The answer lies directly in the collusion between the government, the cricket board, and the management.

The state government claims they couldn't stop the crowd due to ‘political pressure’. This raises the question: Who is the administration for, then? If the government itself admits it bows to pressure, who will guarantee the lives of ordinary people? The police suspended a few individuals and arrested an RCB marketing head, but the real culprits? They're probably still sitting comfortably in their air-conditioned offices.

In 2013, Ratangarh Temple, 115 deaths; In 2017, Mumbai Elphinstone Bridge, 22 deaths; In 2024, Hathras, 121 deaths; In 2025, Prayagraj, 30 deaths, and now Bangalore… Every time the media makes a fuss, an inquiry committee is formed, there are statements for a few weeks, and then everything goes quiet. Neither the system nor the mindset changes.

Whether it's a religious event, a film star show, or a political rally, VIPs shine while others die every time. From religious gatherings to political rallies, organisers only care about attracting crowds. Security arrangements are left to chance. And when an accident happens, the police and administration blame each other. The religious leaders in whose name people die often quietly become ‘unknown’ in the media. And the politicians who pressured crowds to gather are seen dancing on stage at the next event.

Every time, political parties blame each other. In Hathras, the Yogi government let the investigation drag, and the opposition used it for political gain. In Bangalore, the Congress government is under scrutiny, and the BJP quickly attacked. But the truth is, leaders from both parties were sitting in the same RCB VIP box, clapping, while 11 families were destroyed.

Every citizen must now ask themselves. Will we just be spectators, waiting for the next stampede? Or will we demand answers from this careless system? Until the focus of events shifts from VIP convenience to the safety of ordinary people, such accidents will not stop.

India's Supreme Court should, this time, wield the ‘rod of punishment’ rather than just a ‘cushion of morality’. The BCCI, the state government, and the organisers shouldn't just receive notices; they should be given fast-track punishment to set an example.