Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s long wait for an IPL title ended on June 3 when they defeated Punjab Kings by six runs to lift their maiden trophy. The victory ended an 18-year drought and brought immense joy to fans. To celebrate, the franchise planned a grand event at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, but the celebrations took a tragic turn.
A fatal stampede broke out outside the stadium during the event, leaving 11 people dead and nearly 50 others injured. The tragedy shocked the cricketing world and brought severe criticism towards RCB for mismanagement.
RCB Faces Backlash and Silence
Following the incident, the Bengaluru-based franchise faced FIRs and charges, drawing criticism worldwide. On June 5, RCB promised to give Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the families of the victims. However, the franchise went silent on social media for almost three months, refraining from celebratory posts.
RCB Breaks Silence with ‘RCB CARES’
On August 28, RCB finally broke its silence and announced the launch of ‘RCB CARES’, a fan support initiative. The franchise posted a heartfelt note on X (formerly Twitter):
“Dear 12th Man Army, this is our heartfelt letter to you! It’s been close to three months since we last posted here. The Silence wasn’t Absence. It was Grief. This space was once filled with energy, memories, and moments that you enjoyed the most.. But June 4th changed everything. That day broke our hearts, and the silence since then has been our way of holding space. In that silence, we’ve been grieving. Listening. Learning. And slowly, we’ve begun to build something more than just a response. Something we truly believe in.
That’s how RCB CARES came to life. It grew out of a need to honour, to heal, and to stand beside our fans. A platform for meaningful action shaped by our community & fans. We return to this space today, not with celebration but with care. To share. To stand with you. To walk forward, together. To continue being the pride of Karnataka. RCB CARES. And we always will. More details soon…”
Aftermath and Impact
The stampede not only caused irreparable loss to families but also impacted the reputation of the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Following an official inquiry, the venue was declared unfit to host major events. As a result, the ICC shifted next month’s Women’s ODI World Cup matches from Bengaluru to Mumbai citing “unforeseen circumstances.”
RCB now seeks to rebuild trust and strengthen ties with fans through ‘RCB CARES’, positioning it as a step towards healing and community support.
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