Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has returned to social media for the first time in 84 days, breaking a long silence maintained since the tragic stampede that killed 11 people during their maiden IPL title celebration on June 4. In a somber post, the franchise explained its absence was a period of mourning and announced the launch of a new community-focused initiative called 'RCB Cares'.
In their message, the IPL champions addressed their long absence directly. "The Silence wasn’t Absence. It was Grief," the post began. "That day broke our hearts, and the silence since then has been our way of holding space." The statement explained that the new 'RCB Cares' platform grew from this period of reflection, born from a "need to honour, to heal, and to stand beside our fans." The franchise stated they return "not with celebration but with care."
The tragic incident occurred when thousands of fans gathered outside Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for a felicitation ceremony to celebrate the team's first-ever IPL title win. The celebratory event turned into a disaster, resulting in a deadly stampede that claimed the lives of 11 fans and left dozens more injured.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, an FIR was filed against RCB, the event organizers, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The Karnataka government ordered an investigation into the incident, admitting that the event had proceeded without adequate preparation. The inquiry commission's report has since been submitted to the Karnataka High Court as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
The repercussions of the stampede have been severe for cricket in the city. Following an investigation, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has lost the rights to host major tournaments. The ICC moved matches for the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup to Mumbai, and the state's own Maharaja T20 tournament was relocated to Mysuru, underscoring the long-lasting and damaging impact of the incident.
