'We cannot be a silent spectator' - BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia makes strong remarks on Chinnaswamy stampede

Published - 06 Jun 2025, 23:02 IST | Updated - 06 Jun 2025, 23:17 IST

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's secretary, Devajit Saikia, commented on the tragedy which occurred around the Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's trophy celebrations on Wednesday, June 4. He remarked that the BCCI would try their best to guarantee that another similar stampede-like situation doesn't occur in future.

He advocated that the BCCI had to intervene and ensure its active participation in resolving the chaos which unfolded recently.

"At some stage BCCI will have to do something. We cannot be a silent spectator. It was a private affair of RCB but we at the BCCI are responsible for cricket in India and we will try to ensure such incidents do not recur in future," stated Saikia, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

A day before, India head coach Gautam Gambhir also shared his opinion on the incident. He was critical of events such as the one which went down from taking place again.

"When I used to play, I didn't believe much in roadshows. I don't believe in them today and I don't believe in them in the future. Winning is important, celebrations are important, but more important than that is the life of any person. So if we are not prepared, or if we cannot handle the crowd in that way, then might as well these roadshows should not take place," he added.

For the unversed, the celebrations had turned tragic near Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. 11 supporters passed away with dozens injured in the mayhem. There has been a nationwide backlash to this. The Karnataka State Government has taken prompt action against both the police and RCB management. There have been several arrests made in relation to the same.

Bengaluru stampede: Survivor files case against RCB-KSCA

On Friday, one official from RCB and three from DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the event management company, were taken into police custody. Later, they were sent to a 14-day judicial custody. The Karnataka High Court, however, granted interim relief to the KSCA officials, in other words, providing them protection from arrest.