IMAGE: A car with a broken windshield, presumably after fans climbed over it to catch a glimpse of RCB players during the team's victory parade, outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo
The BCCI on Wednesday rued the preparatory lapses that marred the Royal Challenger Bengaluru's IPL-winning celebrations and led to death of several fans outside the Chinnaswamy stadium, while the team management empathised with the "vulnerability and emotions" of cricket lovers.
The celebratory mood in the city turned sombre a day after RCB ended their 18-year wait for an IPL title. Lakhs of fans gathered outside the stadium, which the police could not control, leading to utter chaos.
"It is very unfortunate. This is a negative side of popularity. People are crazy for cricketers. The organisers should have planned it better. My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. I wish early recovery of the injured," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said.
"When one organises a victory celebration of this magnitude, proper precautions, safety and security measures need to be taken. There have been some lapses somewhere. After such a glorious ending to the IPL, this has been an anti-climax."
Saikia cited the examples of the celebrations that were conducted smoothly, including the one in Mumbai following India's T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados.
"There have been IPL celebrations in the past as well, like in Kolkata last year when KKR won but nothing happened there. Same was the case when we won the T20 World Cup.
"There was a sea of humanity in Mumbai but nothing untoward happened. Police and local authorities worked in tandem to ensure smooth conduct.
"Even yesterday in Ahmedabad, during the IPL final, there were 120,000 people at the stadium but BCCI has a dedicated team which has done elaborate planning in coordination with local district administration and law enforcing authorities to ensure the safety and security of the spectators," Saikia added.
An RCB spokesperson said that people must understand the emotions of cricket fans but did not say a word on mismanagement.
"We are trying to control all that is there in our hand. The government is supporting at all levels but this is pure sentiment of the city and even after communicating to look after each other while they celebrate this win, such situations have happened.
"We need to understand the sentiments and raw emotions of people too. They have patiently waited 18 years for this moment and all we need is to empathise with them for their vulnerability and emotions. Lets please manage this together," the spokesperson said in a statement.
Meanwhile, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal said as soon as he was made aware of the tragedy unfolding outside the stadium, he instructed the organisers to wrap up the proceedings.
"Whatever inquiry that needs to be done, the concerned authorities will do that. It was not a BCCI event. It is sad and tragic. The celebrations turned into a tragedy. Our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones," Dhumal said.
"I am not even aware whether there was a planned event or unplanned event. Whether fans were supposed to come or they came on their own. When I spoke to the RCB officials, there was so much of noise inside the stadium they probably did not know what was happening outside. When I told them about it, they assured me they would wind up the event.
"We curtailed a game in Dharamsala (during IPL), we made sure everyone was evacuated safely. Not even one person was hurt there," he said.
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