Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday attributed the recent stampede in Bengaluru to what he described as “mass hysteria,” dismissing claims that administrative negligence was responsible. The tragedy, which left several injured, has sparked heated political debate in the state.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said that such unfortunate incidents were not unique to Karnataka. He pointed out that around 20 similar cases had taken place in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party, suggesting that stampedes are often triggered by sudden panic rather than governance failures.

The Chief Minister also urged people not to politicize the tragedy, emphasizing that the government is committed to providing proper medical treatment and compensation to the victims. He said officials have been directed to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter to identify safety lapses and ensure stronger preventive measures in the future.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders have accused the state government of poor crowd management and failing to provide adequate security arrangements at the event where the stampede occurred.

As investigations continue, the incident has brought renewed focus on the need for stricter safety protocols and better planning at large public gatherings in the state.