The tragic Bengaluru stampede that claimed 11 lives has brought intense grief and outrage, especially highlighted by a viral video from Karnataka’s Hassan district. In the video, BT Lakshman mourns his 21-year-old son Bhumik Lakshman, one of the victims, lying inconsolably on his grave and expressing his heartbreak by saying he doesn’t want to leave the spot. Bhumik was among nearly 50 injured in the crowd surge during a celebration for IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru outside the Vidhana Soudha.
The incident has sparked fierce criticism of the state government’s handling of crowd management. The Karnataka BJP has accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of prioritizing political optics over public safety. The BJP’s tweet sharply condemned the leaders, blaming their insistence on a photo-op at the Vidhana Soudha for the tragedy that caused families to suffer such loss.
In response to the mounting public pressure, authorities have arrested four people related to the stampede and suspended five senior police officers, including the Bengaluru Police Commissioner. The government also took action by removing CM Siddaramaiah’s political secretary and the chief of the state intelligence department.
The heartbreaking video and ongoing fallout highlight the profound human cost of the tragedy and the demand for accountability and improved safety measures at public events.
