Karnataka govt chose publicity stunts over safety, well-being of innocent citizens: BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging dereliction of duty on the part of the Congress government in Karnataka for the loss of lives in a stampede during RCB team's IPL victory celebrations in Bengaluru, the state BJP on Thursday accused it of choosing publicity stunts over the safety and well-being of innocent citizens.
Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra has slammed Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for his post on ‘X’ claiming that the government or authorities did not anticipate such an overwhelming crowd - while the stadium has a capacity of 35,000, over 3 lakh people had gathered.
As many as 11 people died and 33 injured following a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium here, where a large number of people had thronged to participate in the RCB team's IPL victory celebrations on Wednesday.
“Dear D K Shivakumar, when politics mattered more than sports, selfies of your families mattered more than the fans, vanity more than safety, and publicity more than governance - this tragedy was inevitable,” Vijayendra said.
“Who are you trying to fool when you claim you didn’t anticipate an overwhelming crowd?” he said in a post on ‘X’.
Given the expectations and the frenzied excitement of the fans, even a child could have foreseen the massive turnout, the BJP leader said, “This is nothing short of a dereliction of duty by you and your government - one that chose publicity stunts over the safety and well-being of innocent citizens, right on the sacred podium of Vidhana Soudha.”
“Your government should take lessons in crowd management from the Uttar Pradesh government, which successfully conducted the Kumbh Mela - one of the world’s largest religious gatherings over 50 days. Shame on your government,” he added.
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Smriti Mandhana named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Star batter Smriti Mandhana, who played a pivotal role in India's historic 2025 Women's World Cup triumph, was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025 at a glittering function here on Monday.
Chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh won the Emerging Player of the Year award, for her historic FIDE Women's World Cup triumph at just 20.
Preethi Pal was named the Para-Sportswoman of the Year, for winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field, while Anjali Bhagwat was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her pioneering career as India's first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final and her trailblazing success on the world stage.
Mandhana, who is currently touring Australia with the Indian team for multi-format bilateral assignments, said in a video message: "Thank you BBC for giving me the awardfor Best Sportswoman of the Year. 2025 was a special year for women's cricket, especiallytowards the end we had a World Cup and I'm happy I could contribute and help India win matches.".
At 29, the left-handed batter is already among the game's greats, with the second-highest number of centuries in women's One Day Internationals and ranking third in total runsscored among current players worldwide.
Hailing from Sangli city in Maharashtra, the affable Mandhana was inspired by her father and brother, both of whom played cricket at the district level.
In September last year, she made a 50-ball hundred against Australia – the fastest 50 over international ton (men and women) by an Indian in the format, breaking Virat Kohli's record.
The award winners were decided by a distinguished grand jury comprising Leander Paes, Deepa Malik, and Anju Bobby George.
Praising the athletes' achievements CEO of BBC News, Jonathan Munro said: "Congratulations to this year's winners who showcase the very best in sporting excellence. The BBC World Service is committed to bringing such stories of human endeavour and outstanding success to audiences across India and around the world.".
Additionally, the ceremony also celebrated a wide spectrum of talent and impact, recognizing star performers and changemakers for redefining the landscape of Indian sport.
BBC Star Performers of the Year 202.
• Indian Women's Cricket Team: for their historic World Cup victory.
• Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal: for their trailblazing performances at the World Para Athletics Championship.
• Indian Women's Cricket Team for the Blind: for their inspiring World Cup victory.
• Indian Women's Kabaddi Team: for their smashing victory in World Cup.
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BBC Changemakers of the Year 202.
• Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team: for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport.
• Rajbir Kaur: Indian field hockey player and former captain of the women’s national team.
• Savita Punia: Indian field hockey player and current member of the national team.
• Paani Devi: recognised for her impactful contribution to grassroots sport.
