Belagavi, Dec. 10 (LatestNewsX) – Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress head, D.K. Shivakumar, announced that the plan to bring cricket back to Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will be reviewed and resolved at the Cabinet meeting set for Thursday, Dec. 11. The venue has been off‑limits since the tragic stampede on June 4, which claimed 11 lives.
Shivakumar spoke to reporters on Wednesday at the Belagavi Circuit House after a meeting with the newly elected Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President, former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, and other fresh office‑bearers.
“We’re not looking to stop cricket altogether. Crowd‑control measures need a close look, and we intend to roll out the Justice Michael D’Cunha Committee’s recommendations step by step. Venkatesh Prasad has already backed this plan,” he explained.
“Our government is focused on addressing the hopes of cricket fans while proudly maintaining the dignity of our state,” he added.
“We won’t let IPL or any other match be relocated out of Bengaluru. I’ve made it clear that we should work together. The government is also ready to build new stadiums, and that will be part of the discussion,” he said.
Shivakumar noted that Venkatesh Prasad and his team had visited the Chief Minister and himself to secure the government’s support for future games at Chinnaswamy.
“I wish Venkatesh Prasad’s initiative—backed by former cricketers Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble and now in charge—the very best. I’ve relayed the government’s congratulations,” he stated.
Recall that on June 4 the stampede took 11 lives during the celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first IPL triumph. Thousands of supporters spilled out of Chinnaswamy, far exceeding its capacity of about 35,000 and swelling to an estimated 200,000‑300,000 across multiple entrances. Confusion over free passes, ticket distribution, and word of last‑minute entry drew people to various gates. An FIR was lodged against the stadium authorities, KSCA, RCB, and the event management firm for negligence and inadequate crowd control.
The disaster sparked sharp criticism of safety protocols, crowd‑management practices, and last‑minute planning and has since been seen as one of the most severe fan‑related tragedies in Indian cricket history.
The stadium remains closed for matches since the June 4 incident; its hosting privileges were effectively suspended immediately after. The state government has mandated a comprehensive structural‑safety audit before it may host any major high‑capacity events—IPL, international fixtures, or significant domestic matches—at Chinnaswamy.
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