04 June,2025 10:21 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondent
Virat Kohli with Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Pic: @DKShivakumar/X)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru found themselves at the centre of a storm on Wednesday after posting a celebratory video online, mere hours after a tragic stampede near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru claimed 11 lives and left several others seriously injured. The video featured jubilant scenes of the RCB team bus being showered with love and cheers from adoring fans lining the streets to welcome their IPL 2025 champions back home.
The post, which was captioned 'This welcome is what pure love looks like', was intended to capture the euphoric spirit of the homecoming. However, it was met with immediate backlash across social media platforms, with users accusing the franchise of being tone-deaf and insensitive in the wake of the devastating incident.
As criticism mounted, RCB swiftly removed the post. The timing of the video, shared while emergency services were still attending to the injured and families were grappling with the loss of their loved ones, sparked outrage among netizens, many of whom felt that the celebratory tone was grossly inappropriate given the tragedy that had just unfolded.
Recognising the gravity of the situation and the public sentiment, the franchise later issued an official statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident. "We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light through media reports regarding public gatherings all over Bengaluru in anticipation of the team's arrival this afternoon. The safety and well-being of everyone is of utmost importance to us. RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extend our heartfelt condolences to the affected families. Immediately upon being made aware of the situation, we promptly amended our program, and followed, the guidance and advice of the local administration. We urge all our supporters to please stay safe", the statement read.
The disaster unfolded as fans packed the streets in large numbers to greet the newly-crowned IPL champions, who had returned victorious after a thrilling win over Punjab Kings in Tuesday night's final. However, the atmosphere of celebration quickly descended into chaos, with endless crowds jostling for space and police attempting to control the mob using batons.
However, inside the Chinnaswamy, the show went on with players delivering speeches to acknowledge each other and the fans amid thumping music and bursting of firecrackers as well.
"It's for all of you - the fans, the people of this wonderful city, people who've supported RCB through thick and thin. I've never seen any fan base of any team in the world like this franchise," said Virat Kohli, who was the cynosure of all eyes after ticking another box in his illustrious career.
Patidar, like Kohli, also waxed eloquent about RCB's loyal fans, considered by many as the most passionate along side the ones who adore Chennai Super Kings. "You all deserve the trophy. We all love you," Patidar said at the felicitation ceremony.
The scenes leading up to the tragedy reminded one of the historic welcome given to the T20 World Cup-winning Indian squad by Mumbai in July last year. However, while the sea of humanity had a gala time in Mumbai, things went haywire in the Garden City.
The much-anticipated open-top bus parade, which was allowed to proceed by Siddaramaiah from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium, ultimately could not take place as crowd became unmanageable for the police.
