(Image source from: News9live.com)
Ninety-one days after a celebration of victory turned into a tragedy in Bengaluru, famous Indian cricketer and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli made his first public remark about the sad event. Kohli described the stampede that happened during RCB’s IPL celebration earlier this year as a moment that changed happiness into deep sadness. This unfortunate event took place on June 4 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in 11 deaths and many injuries. “Nothing in life prepares you for heartbreak like June 4,” Kohli mentioned in an emotional message shared by RCB on Wednesday. “What should have been the happiest time in our team’s history turned into something very sad. I have been thinking of and praying for the families of those who passed away and for our fans who were hurt. Your loss is now part of our story. Together, we will move ahead with care, respect, and responsibility.”
Kohli’s initial response came a day after the tragedy when he shared RCB’s statement on his social media accounts, but this is his first full statement. His comments come during ongoing public concern regarding how the victory celebrations were planned and carried out. Investigations after the stampede revealed that RCB had not obtained the necessary permissions for the large gathering. The crowd, which was estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands, exceeded the stadium’s capacity after the franchise posted open invitations online. Reports indicate that the police were caught off guard and outnumbered, making it difficult to manage the influx of fans. In light of the tragedy, the team has started a new initiative called 'RCB Cares,' focused on improving fan safety and crowd control in a more organized and sustainable way.
This initiative has become a key aspect of the franchise's outreach efforts, with a promise of ₹25 lakh in compensation for each family affected by the incident. However, Kohli and the team leaders emphasize that their aim is more than just financial support; they want to honor and assist their 12th Man Army “through meaningful actions.” According to RCB, ‘RCB Cares’ plans to work with the Indian Premier League and the Karnataka State Cricket Association to create better crowd management systems. Kohli, who has been with the franchise for over ten years, stated that this loss is now a significant part of the team’s journey. “Together, we will advance with care, respect, and responsibility,” he affirmed.
