'I Lost My Only Son in RCB Victory Parade Stampede—I'm Still Seeking Answers'

'Bhomik was my only child. He'd have turned 21 on 19 July this year. But he’s no longer with us to celebrate it.'

Twenty-year-old Bhomik died in the stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium that took place a day after the RCB's maiden IPL win.

(Image altered by The Quint/Kamran Akhtar)

"Amma, I’ve never been to a cricket stadium. I want to go with my friends," said my son Bhomik to his mother before he left home to attend the victory parade in Bengaluru to mark Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)'s maiden IPL trophy.

He never came back. Instead, my 20-year-old son became a victim to the deadly stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The moment we heard about the stampede, we frantically dialled his number at least a 100 times, but his phone remained unreachable. Later, his friends recounted to me that for half an hour, they begged everyone around them for a vehicle to take my son to a hospital, but they couldn't get any help. There was no ambulance either.

It has been almost two months since then, but we are still searching for answers.

For one, why was the victory parade was organised in such a haste without adequate security or proper emergency medical facilities?

'Who Is Responsible For Crowd Mismanagement?'

The capacity of Chinnaswamy Stadium is around 33,000. According to reports, over 2 lakh people had gathered outside the stadium to celebrate RCB's IPL win. Why was such a large crowd allowed to gather, and why wasn’t it properly managed? Wasn’t it incumbent upon the state government and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to manage the crowd?

The government can't wash its hands of the mishap. If they say it was RCB's event alone, then I want to ask them why were the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, and other ministers at Vidhan Soudha with the RCB cricket team?

'Money Can't Bring Back My Son'

Bhomik was my only child. He would have turned 21 on 19 July this year. But he’s no longer with us to celebrate it.

I got a call from members of the KSCA and RCB, saying they have transferred the ex gratia amount to my account. I haven't even checked my account.

A file photo from Bhomik's childhood.

(Accessed by The Quint)

When a member from the KSCA asked me if I had received the Rs 5 lakh they had transferred via NEFT, and whether I needed any help, I told them, I'll sell my house and everything else I have, and even give them any amount they ask for. But, in return, I just want my son back.

The District Collector came to my house to hand me over a Rs 25 lakh cheque, but I'm not interested in any money. I told him that I wanted to speak to the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, and I'm still waiting for that day. I will accept the cheque only when he comes to meet me.

I know that my son's wellbeing is my concern alone, but the government needs to take accountability, and admit that there was a major lapse of security arrangement on their part.

'My Dream Is Shattered Completely'

Bhomik was sincere and hardworking. He scored 97 percent in his class 12 board exams and 93 percent in class 10. He'd make his own timetable, and follow it diligently.

He wanted to pursue a career in medicine, but since I own a small factory, and he was my only child, I encouraged him to take up engineering. He was studying electrical and electronics engineering, and I had dreamt of him taking over the factory after me. Now, all my dreams for him are shattered.

To this day, we haven’t been able to recover from the loss of my son. I only exist because I’m still breathing; otherwise, I have no desire to live. Life holds no interest for me anymore.

Both my wife and I had to seek medical help because we simply can't come to terms with this loss. I haven’t slept properly for the past two months. I’m seeing a doctor, and they have prescribed sleeping pills, but even that doesn’t help much.

Not a moment goes by without my questions for the state government haunting me—why did they allow such a celebration? And why did they go ahead with it in such a haste? For them, it was a celebration. But for me, it is a wound I’ll carry for the rest of my life.

RCB Stampede Case: Who Has Said What So Far

In the wake of the stampede that killed 11, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar told reporters, "I want to apologise to the people of Karnataka and Bangalore. It wasn't a controllable crowd."

On the question of adequate security, he said, "We had arranged more than 5,000 police personnel. It was a young and vibrant crowd. We can't use lathis."

Speaking about the families who lost their loved ones, Shivakumar said, "We are deeply hurt. The victims are our own family. The image of Karnataka, the image of Bengaluru... Yes, we take it (responsibility). We are not blaming others, although it happened very unexpectedly. No one expected such a crowd. The image of Karnataka, the image of Bengaluru, has lost... families have lost."

The Karnataka State Cricket Association, in a statement after the tragic incident, said: "We are profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of life and the injuries sustained by individuals during this event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this incident. We sincerely regret this tragedy and stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during this extremely difficult time." 

RCB, too, released a statement, stating: "We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light... The safety and well-being of everyone is of the utmost importance to us. RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extends our heartfelt condolences to the affected families."

To investigate the stampede, the Karnataka state government had formed the Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission. On 17 July, the commission held that “not regulating the entry into the gates and making reckless announcements with regard to the entry into the stadium” was the “root cause for the stampede and the consequent death and injuries".

Approving the findings of the commission, the Karnataka Cabinet on 24 July decided to initiate legal action against several parties, including RCB, the KSCA, and the event management company DNA Network.

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