New Delhi : Amid the massive outrage over the stampede that claimed eleven lives, many of them teenagers, and allegations of apathy and negligence against the Karnataka government, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar broke down on camera while addressing the media.
“I am worried about the children, those small children, I saw they were 15 years old.” an emotional Shivakumar told the media on Thursday. When asked about the stampede on Wednesday, Shivakumar initially told India Today TV that he had no confirmation of the incident and would visit the stadium to get an update.
Shivakumar also told the reporters later in the evening that the event at Chinnaswamy stadium was wrapped up within 10-15 minutes keeping in mind the tragedy. Photos of a smiling Shivakumar holding the IPL trophy and posing with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB ) team were widely circulated, garnering criticism and comments about the government’s apathy.
On Thursday, while addressing Shivakumar recounted how quickly the situation deteriorated and the urgency conveyed to him by the officials at the venue. Speaking about the situation at the stadium, he added, “Me, and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) management couldn’t reach there, I had to take them in my car. I was not interested in going to KSCA. I took the president, secretary in my car. We didn’t let them make any announcements. We finished everything quickly and KSCA also agreed.”
Commenting on the political reaction from the BJP, he said, “We must learn an administrative lesson, let the opposition do politics on dead bodies. I will list how many dead bodies they have done politics on. But it hurts to see the little children. I have seen their pain.”
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had apologised for the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which claimed eleven lives. Shivakumar had also blamed the BJP for politicising the incident. “They’re doing politics. They’re doing politics on the deathbed. They only said that. They wanted the procession. This has happened without the procession. If the procession happened, what would have been the situation?”
He said the crowd had exceeded all expectations. “We thought some 30,000 to 40,000 would appear but over 3 lakh were there. And on the streets from the airport, I think there was a massive crowd.” Calling the scene at the stadium “unbelievable”, he said the gates had been broken and insisted, “We fully apologise for this We wanted to know the facts and give a clear message. We will do it.”