Published Mar 27, 2026 | 2:32 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 27, 2026 | 2:50 PM
R Ashoka and Vijayananda Kashappanavar.
Synopsis: Within and outside the state legislature, MLAs across party lines have professed ‘deep hurt’ over the perceived injustice meted out to them by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in refusing to extend the VIP treatment that they and their families believe they deserve.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, their home turf, on Saturday, 28 March, for the opening match of the 2026 Indian Premier League season. They will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
It is RCB’s first match since winning their maiden championship last year after an 18 year wait. It is also the first time Chinnaswamy will host a match since a crowd crush during celebrations of that euphoric win killed 11 people, including teenagers as young as 14, and left dozens more injured.
Yet the most pressing concern occupying Karnataka’s ruling elite in recent days has been the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) alleged discrimination against them and their families by refusing to allot VIP seating and the free tickets they supposedly ‘deserve’.
Within and without the state legislature, MLAs across party lines have professed their grievous hurt over the supposed injustice meted out to them by the KSCA, apparently without even considering that the government has graciously allotted land and crores of public funds to the cricketing body. No matter that it is public land and money. First initiated by BJP’s R Ashoka, the demand found support from MLAs cutting across party lines.
Speaker UT Khader, after hearing the demands, has even urged the state government to ensure that each MLA is allotted four premium tickets.
Chairperson of the Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti, however, was less than impressed by the demands.
He advised members against such shameless “begging” and reminded them that the allotments made by the government did not come out of their own pockets, and that those who wish to attend the match should pay for it.
Response given by Basavaraj Horatti Sir to those who asked for RCB match tickets 🔥
..#bangalore #bengaluru #rcb #mla #rcbticket @BJP4Karnataka@horattiofficial @RCBTweets @Lolita_TNIE @ChristinMP_ pic.twitter.com/eIb1LyzRPm
— Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) March 27, 2026
The farce first began during a discussion on the availability of land within Bengaluru for a new sports arena.
BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka then piped up with a complaint against the KSCA.
“They do not give us tickets properly during matches, yet the government wants to provide them land for a stadium,” he said, claiming that the land for the Chinnaswamy Stadium was originally allotted to the KSCA for training purposes.
“They have crores of rupees, yet they treat us in such a way that we have to beg for tickets. Even when a ticket is issued, it is in my name, so I cannot send it to my wife or son.”
Ashoka had no shortage of support from his colleagues across the isle. Vijayananda Kashappanavar was the most vocal.
“MLAs get only one ticket and are made to sit in a lower gallery, where these people,” he said, before hesitating, perhaps realising the cameras were broadcasting his every word to the public. “…where these people go,” he then managed.
He then went on to demand that MLAs be given at least five tickets, along with provision for a separate VIP lounge.
Ashoka then said that the government had allotted 16.32 acres of land for the stadium at a nominal rent of Rs 1,600 per month, with the air of someone one would imagine had done so from his own wealth.
“They make us beg for tickets. When available, they charge as much as Rs 20,000,” he said, adding that a “lesson” should be taught to the KSCA.
Speaking to reporters after the session, Kashappanavar continued his complaints, “They are taking all the facilities from the government… They are getting all the security, everything they are taking. But they are not respecting the MLAs.”
The nauseating sense of entitlement! https://t.co/o2h4RA1Ld0
— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) March 26, 2026
Speaker Khader asked Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar to call KSCA officials and ensure that MLAs are provided with “respectful” seating arrangements.
“One ticket is given per MLA, and VIP tickets are issued only if the MLA attends in person. However, MLAs find it difficult to stand in queues as staff do not recognise them, leading to a sense of disrespect,” he said.
He added that many MLAs avoid attending matches for these reasons.
“Inform the KSCA that at least four VIP stand tickets should be provided to MLAs and their families,” he added.
So busy were the MLAs with their own grievances, they had little time to voice any on behalf of the families of those who lost their lives in last year’s stampede.
Nor did they have the time to review the enhanced security and safety measures being implemented at the stadium, or the responsibility the government bore in the earlier lapses.
Hours before the stampede on the gates of the Chinnsawamy, the state government had organised a separate grand felicitation ceremony at the Vidhana Soudha for the team.
Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, were seen clicking pictures with the team.
Some leaders were also seen bringing their children and family members into the restricted area for photo opportunities with the cricketers.
Several reports from the day indicated that the police force was stretched thin, split between managing crowds at the stadium and securing the Vidhana Soudha where the political leaders were present.
Additionally, the police had also spent the previous night on ground until at least 4 am to manage crowds on busy districts across the city post the team’s win.
The investigation into the factors that led to the tragedy, meanwhile, has been crawling at a snail’s pace.
Despite criminal cases being filed against RCB, event management firm DNA Entertainment Networks, and others, a chargesheet has yet to be filed.
This callous disregard for the victims appears to be a recurring pattern. A day earlier, on Wednesday, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara unveiled a memorial outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium honouring the dead.
ಐಪಿಎಲ್ ಟ್ರೋಫಿ ಗೆದ್ದ ಆರ್ಸಿಬಿ ತಂಡದ ವಿಜಯೋತ್ಸವದ ವೇಳೆ ಕಾಲ್ತುಳಿತದಿಂದ ಮೃತಪಟ್ಟ 11 ಜನ ಆರ್ಸಿಬಿ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳ ಸ್ಮರಣಾರ್ಥವಾಗಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಚಿನ್ನಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಸ್ಟೇಡಿಯಂ ಹೊರ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲಾದ ಸ್ಮಾರಕವನ್ನು ಅನಾವರಣಗೊಳಿಸಿ, ಮೃತ ಆರ್ಸಿಬಿ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಗೌರವ ನಮನ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಲಾಯಿತು.
ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಶಾಸಕರಾದ ಎನ್.ಎ.ಹ್ಯಾರೀಸ್,… pic.twitter.com/GDwFpucT8y
— Dr. G Parameshwara (@DrParameshwara) March 25, 2026
It was a simple plaque placed at the outer premises of the stadium, near the main entrance, scarcely visible to the general public. It features none of the victims’ names, nor any mention of the incident.
Instead, it simply reads: “In memory of our cricket fan s (sic)”. Complete with the grammatical error.
Meanwhile, the RCB management has announced that it would keep 11 seats in the stadium empty to honour the victims. How exactly this honours them, only they know.
For the families of the victims, the grief is still fresh. Ashwini, the mother of the youngest victim, Divyamshi BS, had earlier told South First:
“People have just moved on from one tragedy to the next. But I know how many tears I have shed. Has the Karnataka government learnt any lesson?”
She termed every move taken by the government as “injustice”.
“They have called off justice, it did not happen. The final verdict has not yet been given,” she said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
