The Karnataka government had formally approved Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) felicitation event at the Vidhana Soudha under 19 specific conditions, according to a government letter accessed by India Today. This clearance, now under public scrutiny following a stampede that killed 11 people outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, has reignited the debate on event safety and accountability.

The letter, issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), confirms that approval was granted based on a request from KSCA and a subsequent security clearance from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Vidhana Soudha Security.

Event Approved with Stringent Conditions

The event, held on June 4 on the eastern steps of the Vidhana Soudha, was allowed only after fulfilling a list of strict administrative and logistical requirements. The most notable of these was a refundable Rs 15 lakh security deposit, mandated in case any tents or temporary structures were erected. This deposit would be forfeited if damage occurred to the historic structure, steps, statues, gardens or roads.

In addition, organisers had to submit a Rs 10,000 sanitation fee through demand draft. The order made it clear that RCB organisers would be held entirely responsible for any structural or environmental damage arising from the programme.

Environmental and Safety Protocols

The approval prohibited the use of plastic entirely at the event, allowing only paper or glass materials for public consumption. Any refreshments served had to be prepared off-site, and the use of gas cylinders was completely banned. Furthermore, food was only to be distributed in a designated area on the eastern outer premises of the Vidhana Soudha.

With the Vidhana Soudha area designated as a no-fly zone, drone usage was strictly banned. Organisers had to coordinate with the Bengaluru City Police, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Fire and Emergency Services, and the Health Department to ensure that public safety and law enforcement protocols were fully in place.

Design and Clean-up Rules

The government also stated that even the event invitation design had to be vetted and cleared by the State Protocol Wing. Any electrical or structural installations were subject to prior approval from engineers of the Public Works Department (PWD).

Crucially, the letter directed that all temporary installations and equipment must be removed within three hours of the programme's conclusion. Failing to do so would result in the forfeiture of the security deposit.

The order also underscored that the event should not cause disruption to government office operations or public traffic in the vicinity of the Vidhana Soudha.

KSCA Distances Itself Amid Stampede Outrage

The emergence of the official approval letter comes on the heels of the tragic stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where 11 people lost their lives during RCB’s victory celebrations. The tragedy has led to severe criticism over the event's planning, crowd control and communication.

In response to the public backlash, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has distanced itself from the felicitation event, clarifying that it was not involved in the organisation or crowd management of the Vidhana Soudha programme.

The letter, however, suggests otherwise — that KSCA was directly involved in seeking permission and was considered responsible for coordination and compliance with the stipulated guidelines.

Public Reaction and Political Heat

The public outcry following the stampede has intensified pressure on both the state government and KSCA, with many questioning why such a large-scale public event was organised in a sensitive zone like Vidhana Soudha without more robust crowd control mechanisms.

Opposition leaders have accused the ruling party of misusing state spaces for private celebratory events, especially in light of the tragic loss of lives. Meanwhile, families of the victims are demanding a judicial probe into the failures in crowd management and lack of medical preparedness.

This controversy has now snowballed into a larger debate about the use of government premises for private sporting celebrations, with some calling for stricter scrutiny and event risk assessments before granting approvals in the future.

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