Bengaluru: 14th June 2025
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerappa Moily has spoken out against the present Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s quick action of suspending police officers after the recent stampede in Bengaluru. Moily has called the move “hasty” and demanded a fair and detailed investigation before taking such strict steps.
The stampede occurred during a public food distribution event in the city of Bengaluru. The event was organized to help poor families and included the distribution of essential items like food grains, clothes, and daily-use products.
Unfortunately, due to a massive crowd and lack of proper arrangements, chaos broke out. The situation got out of control, and in the resulting stampede, several people were injured, and a few even lost their lives. The event turned tragic in a matter of minutes.
Siddaramaiah’s Immediate Response
After the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acted quickly. He suspended some police officers, blaming them for failing to manage the crowd and ensure safety. According to him, the local police failed to anticipate the huge turnout and didn’t plan crowd control properly.
This decision drew mixed reactions. While some appreciated his quick response, others questioned whether it was fair to suspend officers without a full investigation.
Veerappa Moily’s Reaction
Veerappa Moily, a senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister, expressed strong disagreement with Siddaramaiah’s decision. He said that suspending officers without hearing their side or conducting a proper inquiry was unfair.
“Suspension without detailed investigation is not the right way,” said Moily. “The officers deserve a fair chance to explain what went wrong.”
He also said that the government should focus on finding out the root cause of the incident rather than pointing fingers in a hurry.
A Call for Proper Investigation
Moily urged the state government to form an independent committee to investigate the incident. He believes that only a thorough and unbiased inquiry can help reveal the truth about what led to the tragedy.
He added that only after the investigation is completed should action be taken against those responsible.
“Justice must be delivered, but not at the cost of fairness,” Moily said.
Political Divide Widens
Moily’s criticism of Siddaramaiah has created a stir within the Congress party. Both leaders belong to the same party, and such public disagreements are rare. This incident highlights the internal tensions within the ruling party.
Some experts believe this could affect the party’s image ahead of upcoming elections in Karnataka.
The Bigger Question: Who Was Responsible?
While police officers have been suspended, many believe that the event organizers should also be held accountable. According to reports, the organizers did not get proper permission for such a large-scale event and failed to coordinate with the police in advance.
Sources say the crowd was much larger than expected. Many people came from nearby towns, hoping to collect free goods. However, the organizers did not plan for crowd management or safety barriers.
Without enough volunteers or crowd control measures, the situation turned dangerous very quickly.
The Role of the Police
The suspended police officers were on duty during the event. They are being blamed for not taking precautionary steps, such as setting up barricades or limiting the number of people entering the venue.
However, police sources argue that they were not given proper information or enough time to prepare. They say the organizers informed them at the last minute, leaving little room for planning.
A senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We were not consulted properly. If we had known the scale of the event, we would have arranged more security.”
Public Reactions
The incident has shocked the public, with many expressing sadness over the loss of lives. People are also divided in their opinion about the police suspension.
Some citizens say the police should be held accountable for their failure to manage the crowd. Others feel that blaming them alone is unfair and that the organizers should also face consequences.
Social media is filled with debates. Hashtags like #BengaluruStampede and #JusticeForVictims are trending.
Political Repercussions
The tragedy and its aftermath are likely to become major talking points in Karnataka politics. The opposition parties have already started targeting the government.
Leaders from BJP and JD(S) have questioned the Congress government’s management skills. They have accused the government of being unprepared and irresponsible.
One BJP leader said, “This government is quick to find scapegoats instead of taking responsibility. The Chief Minister must answer.”
Need for Policy Change
Many experts say this incident shows the urgent need for better guidelines on public events. There should be clear rules about crowd management, permissions, and safety measures.
Civic activists have demanded that future events must be planned with proper risk assessments. They believe the government should train local authorities to handle large gatherings safely.
A senior urban planner said, “This is not the first stampede in India, and sadly, it won’t be the last if lessons aren’t learned.”
Moving Forward
The government has announced compensation for the victims and promised strict action against those found guilty. However, the real test lies in whether such incidents can be prevented in the future.
Veerappa Moily’s statement may spark a much-needed debate on governance, responsibility, and the importance of fair procedures. His words remind us that justice must be thoughtful, not just swift.
The Bengaluru stampede is a heartbreaking tragedy that could have been avoided. While the suspension of police officers was meant to show swift action, it has raised questions about fairness and proper process. Veerappa Moily’s criticism of Siddaramaiah highlights the need for balanced decisions, especially in moments of crisis.
The focus now should be on learning from this event and ensuring that every public gathering in the future is safer, better managed, and more accountable.
