Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s historic IPL 2025 title win, the mood in Bengaluru turned from jubilation to sorrow as a tragic stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives. Now, Virat Kohli, the face of RCB for over a decade, finds himself under fire—not for poor form or controversy—but for simply celebrating a long-awaited win.
From Glory to Blame
Kohli was hailed just days earlier for leading RCB to their first-ever IPL title in 18 years. His leadership and stellar performances had fans celebrating across the globe. Yet in the wake of the Chinnaswamy stampede, social media turned hostile, accusing Kohli of being insensitive and continuing on-field celebrations while chaos unfolded outside.
Was It Fair to Blame Kohli?
Critics argue that the victory parade in Bengaluru—just 15 hours after RCB’s final win—was poorly planned. While Kohli may have influenced its timing due to his imminent departure to London, he was not responsible for the event’s chaotic organization or the crowd mismanagement that led to tragedy.
Inside the stadium, Kohli was visibly subdued. Observers noted he was “going through the motions”, not leading any raucous celebrations. Moreover, many fans inside the stadium were unaware of the unfolding disaster, as communication networks were jammed, and cancelling the event could have sparked further unrest.
Shouldn’t Accountability Lie Elsewhere?
Kohli is neither an event planner nor a policymaker. Blaming him for systemic lapses in crowd control and safety protocol undermines the real issues. Those responsible for organizing the event hastily—ignoring police advisories—must be held accountable.
While public figures often bear the brunt of social backlash, it’s essential to ask: Are we too quick to scapegoat our heroes when things go wrong?
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