NEW DELHI: IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have broken their silence nearly three months after the tragic stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed 11 lives and left 75 injured.

In an emotional message to their fans, RCB addressed their silence, clarifying, 'The silence wasn't absence, it was grief.'

The stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium occurred during RCB's grand homecoming celebrations, held to mark their maiden IPL title triumph after an 18-year wait.

"Dear 12th Man Army, this is our heartfelt letter to you! It's been close to three months since we last posted here. The Silence wasn't Absence. It was Grief," RCB wrote on X.

"This space was once filled with energy, memories and moments that you enjoyed the most.. But June 4th changed everything. That day broke our hearts, and the silence since then has been our way of holding space," it added.

"In that silence, we've been grieving. Listening. Learning. And slowly, we've begun to build something more than just a response. Something we truly believe in. That's how RCB Cares came to life. It grew out of a need to honour, to heal, and to stand beside our fans. A platform for meaningful action shaped by our community & fans."

"We return to this space today, not with celebration but with care. To share. To stand with you. To walk forward, together. To continue being the pride of Karnataka. RCB Cares. And we always will."

The tragedy not only claimed numerous lives but also damaged the reputation of Bengaluru's iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. As a result, Mumbai will replace Bengaluru as one of the five venues for next month's Women's ODI World Cup, the ICC confirmed, citing "unforeseen circumstances."