Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy defended the controversial arrest of Telugu actor Allu Arjun in connection with the December 4 stampede at Hyderabad's iconic Sandhya Theatre, which tragically claimed the life of a 39-year-old woman and left her minor son critically injured. The Chief Minister asserted that the police were fulfilling their duty and emphasized that the law would take its due course without any interference, irrespective of the individual's fame or status.
The stampede occurred during the premiere of Allu Arjun's much-anticipated film, where thousands of fans had gathered to celebrate the star's arrival. The Telangana Police had been deployed to manage the crowd, but the situation spiraled out of control when Allu Arjun made a dramatic entry, standing through the sunroof of his car, waving and cheering to greet his fans. This act, Reddy explained, intensified the excitement of the crowd, leading to chaos that tragically resulted in the fatal stampede.
Speaking at the Aaj Tak Agenda program, Reddy elaborated on the events, stating, "Allu Arjun didn’t simply watch the film and leave quietly. Instead, he engaged in celebratory gestures that heightened the frenzy among his fans, making the situation unmanageable for the authorities present." He also addressed his familial ties to Allu Arjun’s wife, Allu Sneha Reddy, affirming that personal relationships did not influence his decision-making. "While there is a family connection, I made it clear that such ties would not deter the administration from taking the necessary legal action," Reddy said.
The arrest of Allu Arjun has ignited a wave of criticism from his fans, the film fraternity, and opposition leaders, many of whom accused the government of targeting the actor unfairly. Fellow actors expressed their disappointment with the handling of the situation, calling for a more respectful approach to addressing the incident. Social media has been abuzz with debates, with many supporters rallying behind the actor, insisting that his actions were not intentional and were driven by excitement over the film’s success.
The day unfolded dramatically, beginning with Allu Arjun’s arrest from his residence in the early hours. A lower court later remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody, sparking outrage among his fans and supporters. However, the Telangana High Court intervened later in the day, granting him interim bail for four weeks. Despite being a public figure, the court underscored that Allu Arjun retained his fundamental rights as a citizen, including the right to life and liberty.
The court's decision provided temporary relief for the actor, but the incident has reignited discussions on the responsibilities of celebrities at public events and their role in ensuring crowd safety. Critics have also pointed fingers at the event organizers and local authorities for inadequate crowd control measures.
Reddy, while defending the police action, reiterated the need for accountability, stating, "Public figures must recognize their influence and act responsibly, particularly during large-scale events. However, the government will also investigate lapses in event management to ensure such tragedies do not recur."
The incident has also raised broader concerns about the management of high-profile events in India, where massive fan gatherings are a norm, especially in the entertainment and sports industries. As investigations continue, the spotlight remains on the balance between celebrity interactions and public safety, highlighting the urgent need for stricter event management protocols.
