RCB breaks silence after IPL 2025 stampede [Source: @RCBTweets, @nabilajamal_/X.com]
Reigning IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have finally spoken out, nearly three months after the devastating stampede that occurred during their victory celebrations in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025. They broke their silence with a moving social media post.
RCB had organised a grand victory parade at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, less than 24 hours after defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final at Ahmedabad.
However, the event turned into a nightmare as three to five lakh fans gathered without proper security arrangements. The disorganisation led to a stampede that killed 11 fans and left over 50 injured.
RCB Launches Care Fund In Memory Of Stampede Victims
Meanwhile, after the stampede, legal proceedings began, forcing RCB to shut down on social media. However, after 3 long months, Bengaluru finally addressed its fans with a moving statement.
On August 28, RCB said their silence since the tragedy was not out of ignorance but because of grief. They spent the last 3 months introspecting on the events and announced the launch of ‘RCB Cares’. This social fund will be remembered after the victims, as the franchise plans to contribute to social causes.
"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."
RCB's statement [Source: @RCBTweets/X.com]
While RCB have taken an initiative to remember the victims, the legal proceedings continue to unfold in court.
The Karnataka government and the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) have already held RCB prima facie responsible for the tragedy, stating that the franchise failed to take police permission for the massive gathering.
RCB Director Had Urged Franchise To Honour Victims
Royal Challengers Bengaluru director Mo Bobat has urged the franchise to honour the 11 fans who tragically lost their lives in the stampede during the IPL 2025 victory celebrations at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Calling them a part of RCB’s “heritage and history”, Bobat said the tragedy deeply saddened the team, especially after fans had waited 18 long years for the title. He added that RCB’s responsibility now is to keep their stories alive and support their families.
RCB had earlier announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim’s family and now launched an “RCB Cares” fund for injured fans.