Crowd management is not an option, it's a full-time job

The tragic loss of lives in the recent stampede in Bengaluru—coinciding with the IPL cricket tournament—underscores a disturbing and recurring reality: crowd management and police bandobast (security deployment) are still too often treated as routine, symbolic, and reactive.

- Dr Kiran Bedi

The tragic loss of lives in the recent stampede in Bengaluru—coinciding with the IPL cricket tournament—underscores a disturbing and recurring reality: crowd management and police bandobast (security deployment) are still too often treated as routine, symbolic, and reactive. At times, they are reduced to photo opportunities rather than the collaborative, preventive effort that public safety demands.

While each event has unique features, there are certain non-negotiable principles that must govern crowd safety to prevent tragedy.

Organisers must be held to higher standards. As per licensing rules, no event should be conducted without official permission from the local administration. Organisers are expected to submit a realistic estimate of the expected turnout, along with details of promotional strategies used for mobilisation. This estimate forms the foundation of all safety and security planning.

Once submitted, the police department develops its own plan in coordination with other civil agencies, under the leadership of the chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP). Organisers must be fully co-opted into this process and certify the infrastructural readiness of the venue—including holding capacity, structural condition, maintenance, availability of emergency exits, and suitability of location.

Free-entry events or overselling tickets often attract unpredictable crowds, increasing the risk of stampedes. Organisers must also provide details on event timing—especially if held after sunset—and submit plans for safety measures during those hours.