Hyderabad, Dec 13: BJP OBC Morcha president and Rajya Sabha MP, K. Laxman, has strongly condemned the recent arrest of Tollywood actor Allu Arjun in connection with the tragic stampede that occurred during the premier show of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre, Hyderabad. The incident led to the death of a woman and the critical injury of her son.
Laxman expressed his outrage, stating, “I strongly condemn the arrest of nationally renowned Telugu actor Mr. Allu Arjun. I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life during the gathering for the movie’s release.” He further described the arrest as “inhumane,” emphasizing that Allu Arjun was not directly involved in the incident and labeling the charges as false. According to Laxman, the arrest appears to be an attempt by the government to divert attention from its own failures in managing the situation. “The government has scripted a movie-like narrative to cover up their incompetence,” he added.
The BJP leader also pointed out growing public anger over the government’s actions, suggesting that the arrest was part of a broader political strategy to shift blame away from the authorities.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also joined the chorus of condemnation, calling the arrest of Allu Arjun “unjust.” Expressing his sorrow over the tragic death, Reddy extended his condolences to the bereaved family, acknowledging their profound loss. In a statement shared on X, he praised Allu Arjun for his responsible response to the tragedy, noting that the actor had expressed grief and offered support to the affected family.
Reddy, however, strongly criticized the decision to arrest the actor, stating that it was “neither fair nor acceptable” to blame him for the incident. He urged the authorities to focus on delivering justice to the victim’s family without resorting to unfairly targeting individuals.
The tragic event occurred on December 4, when a stampede broke out at the Sandhya Theatre during the premier of Pushpa 2: The Rule. Allu Arjun, who was present at the event, had been part of the large crowd. Following the incident, police registered a case under sections of culpable homicide and voluntarily causing hurt against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management.
The actor was arrested by police on Friday and was presented before a city court, which sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. However, hours later, the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail.
Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, also weighed in on the issue, criticizing the Congress-led state government’s handling of the situation. Bittu claimed that the arrest of Allu Arjun revealed the government’s indifference toward the creative industry. “The chaos at Sandhya Theatre was a direct result of administrative failure,” Bittu said. He accused the Telangana government of using the actor’s arrest to distract from its own shortcomings.
Rather than targeting individuals, Bittu argued, the government should focus on compensating the victims and holding those responsible for the mismanagement accountable. He further claimed that scapegoating prominent figures has become a strategy of the Congress government to avoid taking responsibility for its failures.
As the issue continues to unfold, the controversy over the arrest of Allu Arjun remains a significant talking point, with many calling for a more measured approach from the authorities.
