Karnataka BJP legislators to give a month's salary for Bengaluru stampede victims

Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka announced that all BJP MLAs and MLCs in Karnataka will donate one month’s salary to the families of those killed in the stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4.

Calling for the government’s accountability, Ashoka demanded a three-day special session of the Assembly to discuss the tragedy and said a formal request would be sent to the Speaker and Chief Minister.

“Innocent 11 students lost their lives. It’s a sad thing. Congress people were enjoying this event,” he said at a protest held in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha on Sunday. He accused the Congress government of ignoring police warnings, violating safety instructions, and focusing on political optics over public safety.

“Police officers enforce the law,” Ashok said, referring to a letter from the Vidhana Soudha police to the Chief Secretary ahead of the June 4 event. “The event was organised in haste. Security was compromised. All warnings were ignored.”

He also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleging they continued with the programme despite being informed of deaths beforehand. “Eight children had already died when the event began. Yet the programme continued. These leaders have hearts of stone,” he said.

Ashoka further criticised the suspension of police officers following the incident and demanded a judicial probe. “Three inquiries have been ordered, but it’s unclear which one is genuine. A probe under a High Court judge is necessary,” he said.

“If the government is not guilty, it should provide Rs 1 crore as compensation,” Ashok added.

Eleven people died and 56 others were injured in a stampede outside M Chinnasawamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were being felicitated for their maiden IPL title.