South film actor Allu Arjun is facing increasing tensions following a protest at his Hyderabad home. This comes after a tragic stampede during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2, which resulted in the death of a woman at Sandhya Theatre.
Protest and Vandalism
Osmania University protesters gathered at Allu Arjun’s residence in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills on Sunday. They threw stones, tomatoes, and held placards. Additionally, some climbed the walls and damaged flower pots after being told to leave. They also raised slogans demanding justice for the woman who died in the stampede.
Furthermore, videos showed the protesters breaking into the actor’s home and causing damage to property. Outside, others burned his effigy. At the time of the incident, Allu Arjun was not at home. The protesters, believed to be from the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC), were demanding a Rs 1 crore compensation for the victim’s family. As a result, a case was filed against the six protesters involved.
Allu Arjun’s Response
In response to the situation, Allu Arjun urged his fans to act responsibly. He said, “I appeal to all my fans to express their feelings responsibly.” He also warned that anyone misrepresenting as his fan and posting abusive content would face legal action. Therefore, he asked his fans to avoid engaging with such posts.
Moreover, his father, Allu Aravind, addressed the situation by urging restraint. He emphasized that the law would take its course. “Everyone has seen what happened at our house today. But it is time for us to act accordingly,” he stated.
Political Reactions
The incident quickly attracted political attention. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao condemned the attack and ordered strict action against the protesters. Similarly, BJP leader G. Kishan Reddy also condemned the incident, claiming it exposed failures in law and order under the Congress government in Telangana.
The incident of stone pelting at actor Allu Arjun's residence in Hyderabad highlights the shocking failure of law and order under the Congress government in the state. Incidents reflect the administration's inability to protect & ensure the safety and security of citizens.… pic.twitter.com/xhRMmNs1mj
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) December 22, 2024
The Sandhya Theatre Tragedy
The controversy began with the tragic stampede at Sandhya Theatre on December 4 during the screening of Pushpa 2. The chaos started when the theater’s gate collapsed. Tragically, a 35-year-old woman died, and her son was severely injured.
Allu Arjun was briefly arrested and sent to judicial custody. However, he was granted bail later that day. The victim’s husband later stated that he would withdraw the case, clearing Allu Arjun of any involvement in his wife’s death.
Escalation of the Controversy
The controversy escalated when Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accused Allu Arjun of attending the screening without police permission. Additionally, he criticized the actor for allegedly organizing a roadshow.
In response, Allu Arjun denied the allegations, stating he followed police instructions to reach the location. He also expressed regret over the tragic incident and offered condolences to the victim’s family. However, former Assistant Commissioner of Police Ramesh contradicted him, claiming that the actor was informed of the stampede while still at the theater.
