The tragic deaths of 11 people in Bengaluru on June 4 during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL victory celebrations are not just an unfortunate accident — they are the direct result of systemic apathy, political expediency, and an endemic failure to plan for public safety. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s official capacity is around 35,000. Yet, an estimated 2 to 3 lakh people poured into the area, many of them desperate to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes. Entry to the stadium was “by invitation only,” a term that should have triggered red flags across government departments. It did not. And therein lies the real problem. This was not an unanticipated mob; it was a foreseeable surge.

RCB’s IPL victory was a once-in-a-generation event for fans. The frenzy was inevitable. That the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) reportedly informed state authorities about the celebration only on the morning of the event points to a careless........

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