Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : A significant political controversy has erupted in Karnataka following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's comparison of a recent fatal stampede in Bengaluru to similar tragic incidents at the Kumbh Mela. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned the Chief Minister's remarks, deeming them insensitive and an attempt to deflect blame for the deaths of two women.
The incident in question occurred during a food kit distribution event associated with Siddaramaiah's "Janata Darshan" (public grievance redressal) program in Bengaluru. Two women lost their lives in a stampede as a large crowd gathered. When questioned about the tragedy and potential administrative lapses, Siddaramaiah reportedly drew parallels, stating that stampedes have also occurred at massive religious gatherings like the Kumbh Mela, despite extensive security arrangements.
The BJP, the principal opposition party in the state, reacted sharply. Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, led the criticism, highlighting what he termed a crucial difference: "No one took selfies during the Kumbh Mela stampedes," implying a lack of seriousness or respect at the Bengaluru event and by extension, in the Chief Minister's handling of the situation. Ashoka accused Siddaramaiah of trying to trivialize the Bengaluru deaths and evade responsibility for the administrative failures that led to the stampede.
BJP leaders further argued that comparing a state-organized event's mishap to tragedies at a revered religious pilgrimage like the Kumbh Mela was inappropriate and showed a lack of respect. They contend that the government should take accountability for the safety failures at its own event rather than making what they see as deflective and insensitive comparisons.
The exchange has intensified the political blame game in Karnataka, with the government's management of public events and its response to tragic incidents coming under severe scrutiny from the opposition.
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