The Opposition BJP recently demanded that the Karnataka government convene an emergency session of the state legislature to discuss the stampede in Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11. The demand came even as the government mulled legislation to ensure efficient crowd management to prevent such tragedies in the future.
In a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said that the stampede has raised questions about public safety, crowd control, and organising sports and other events in the city. “A comprehensive discussion on measures to prevent such incidents in the future is required,” he said, seeking a three-day emergency session regarding the issue.
The stampede during the victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden Indian Premier League has caused anxiety and concern among the public, he said, accusing the state government of lapses in administration leading to the tragedy. There has been an attempt to shield influential individuals by making officials scapegoats, Ashoka alleged.
The session should discuss “investigation into the circumstances of the stampede, strengthening crowd control and safety measures at public events, ensuring proper treatment for the injured, providing compensation to affected families, and outlining the state government’s plans to avoid such incidents in the future,” the Opposition leader demanded.
A day earlier, on Saturday, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil had said that legislation was already in the works to prevent such incidents in the future. “The Law Department is already preparing a draft Bill. Within one or two weeks, the Bill will be placed before the Cabinet. If everyone agrees, we will enact the law,” he told reporters.
The law, according to the minister, will specify the number of participants for all large gatherings such as cricket matches, football games, weddings, and political rallies. “Blaming the police will not be a solution. To provide relief, we are thinking about bringing in a law,” he said.