New Delhi [India], June 5 : Renowned philosopher and author, Acharya Prashant, on Thursday, condoled the loss of lives in the Bengaluru stampede and said that the incident should not have happened.
Speaking with ANI, Acharya Prashant also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured in the incident.
"I express my condolences. 11 youngsters lost their lives when they came to express their happiness. I hope the injured people recover soon. What happened was wrong, this should not have happened," he said.
Speaking on the cause of the incident, Acharya Prashant said that when a person lacks meaning in his life, they are drawn towards these kinds of entertainment.
"The reason is that we do not want to face the realities of life. And in such a situation, whenever we find any kind of distraction, glamour, or excitement, we are drawn toward it. There are millions of people whose lives currently lack meaning, and it is these people who need entertainment the most," he said.
Further, he clarified that he is not against cricket itself, but rather the form of cricket that is designed primarily to provide momentary sensual excitement.
"I am a great admirer of Test cricket because it genuinely tests your patience, skill, and character. However, this version of cricket offers nothing more than seasonal entertainment, especially to the youth. During that time, young people immerse themselves in it, forgetting the harsh truths of life. A person who has something meaningful in life will be less attracted to such flashy forms of entertainment," Acharya Prashant said.
Eleven people died and more than 30 were injured in a stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy stadium as a huge crowd of nearly 3 lakh people had gathered to witness the victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for winning the Indian Premier League (IPL).