KK not forced to perform, showed no signs of sickness, say organisers

The event management company which handled the event, and the Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal, have denied allegations of overcrowding and non-functioning ACs at the Nazrul Manch auditorium, where the late singer KK last performed before his sudden death due to a cardiac arrest.

The event management company, which has now issued a long statement, has also clarified that KK was not forced to perform at the event at any point. Neither did the singer show any symptoms of sickness or fatigue and that the video circulating of being rushed out of the venue due to chest pain was not from the May 31 show.

The popular playback singer, KK, who passed away on May 31 following a cardiac arrest, was performing at a concert in Kolkata when his condition deteriorated. He was taken to his hotel where he collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead soon after.

Social media was flooded with angry messages alleging that the air conditioners were not working at the venue of the event and there was no ventilation.

Also read: Singer KK’s death reaffirms it — Indians are vulnerable to heart diseases

The event management company BlackEyed Event House, however, has now issued a long statement claiming that the hall was chosen by the college authorities and not by them. The ACs were working at full capacity at the venue, they said, adding that Nazrul Mancha has a specific seating capacity of people but few more people had forced themselves into the auditorium.

“It’s very obvious that the auditorium having AC installed for specific capacity of people cannot work properly when the crowd is exceeding the capacity. The venue was chosen by the college authorities and we had nothing to do with the choice of venue or the management of the venue infrastructure,” the statement read.

Further, the event management company said that KK was not forced to perform at any stage. “He was not forced to perform. Also, there was no communication from KK Sir or his band members that they wanted to stop the performance, the note said and added that “KK sir had thoroughly given his best till the end”.

The event company also revealed that KK did not display any symptoms of sickness. According to them, after every rigorous show, they see the artists fatigued and escorted out as soon as possible. And, that the videos being circulated on social media that KK sir was being rushed out because of chest pain is absolutely false and are not even from the 31st May show,” the statement added.

Also read: KK’s demise triggers war of words between TMC, BJP

Meanwhile, Kolkata police commissioner Goyal told PTI on Friday (June 3) that the police will however introduce some measures to prevent overcrowding at performance venues and station an ambulance with a doctor at performance venues in case of a medical emergency.

There was overcrowding to some extent, Goyal admitted, but there was no shortage of space or people sweating, he clarified. KK reportedly arrived at Nazrul Manch at 6.22 pm and went on stage at 7.05 pm. He was not mobbed at any stage since there was sufficient police presence at the place, added Goyal, dismissing reports that the ACs were also not functioning.

Also, on the issue of overcrowding Goyal said the police have a “clear video” where people can be seen comfortably standing and dancing. Denying any stampede-like situation at any point, he said there was ample space for the crowd to watch the show.

Goyal also requested that henceforth a medical ambulance with a doctor and a hospital should be identified nearby where people can be taken to in case of emergency.