The controversy linked to the chaotic scenes at the premiere of the film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' on December 4 at a Hyderabad theater shows no signs of subsiding. The incident led to a tragic outcome with a woman losing her life, while her 8-year-old son was severely injured. Telugu actor Allu Arjun maintains his innocence, yet the Telangana government and police hold him accountable for the mishap. Following another turn of events, students from Usmania University staged a protest outside the actor’s residence on Sunday evening, which also led to some damage around his home. Authorities took eight of the demonstrators into custody.
Protests and Tumult Outside Allu Arjun's Residence
On Sunday, members of the Usmania University Joint Action Committee (JAC) gathered outside Allu Arjun's home, vocally raising their demands. Demonstrators vandalized property and hurled tomatoes at his house. Their primary demand was that Allu Arjun aid the deceased woman's family with a sum of one crore rupees and offer them every possible assistance.
Police Detains Eight Protestors
Demonstrators tried to amplify their demands by chanting slogans outside the actor's residence. Prompt police action led to the detention of leaders from JAC. Reports confirm that eight individuals were held and taken to Jubilee Hill Station. During this unrest, Allu Arjun was not present at his residence. The police boosted the security measures to control the situation, making efforts to pacify the crowd.
Video of the Protest Surfaces
A video showcasing the protests outside the actor's house has emerged. This footage highlights significant commotion, where protestors also damaged pots placed outside.
Attack on Actor's House Condemned by BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned the attack on Allu Arjun's residence, lashing out at the Congress-led state government in Telangana. Andhra Pradesh BJP's State Vice President Vishnu Vardhan Reddy commented, "It is disgraceful how the Congress government in Telangana targeted an artist like Allu Arjun. Such attacks and harassment against South India's highest taxpayer and a respected figure are not only condemnable but entirely unacceptable."
Reddy added, "These scenes depict the low political tactics the Congress government employs to demean successful individuals. Is this how we treat those who have excelled in their respective fields?" BJP urged the state government to issue an immediate apology and demanded stringent action against the perpetrators. This incident has stirred political controversy in Telangana.
BJP Accuses Image Tarnishing
This situation also sparked political controversy in Telangana, with BJP and BRS accusing the Congress government of damaging the image of the national award-winning actor. BJP leader Amit Malviya called it "state-sponsored terrorism," stating that Congress targeted Allu Arjun because he refused to campaign for them. BRS leader KT Rama Rao remarked, "Treating Allu Arjun like a common criminal is wrong. The actual culprits behind the event should be punished."
CM Revanth Reddy Condemns the Attack
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy condemned the incident at Allu Arjun's Jubilee Hills residence, terming it unacceptable. He instructed the state Director General of Police (DGP) and Hyderabad Police Commissioner to take strict actions in maintaining law and order. The Chief Minister insisted, "I strongly denounce this attack. I order the state DGP and city police commissioner to ensure swift and severe action. Any oversight in this matter is intolerable." Revanth Reddy ordered senior police officials, instructing those not involved with the Sandhya Theatre incident to refrain from giving public statements.
Source: aajtak
Police Statement on the Protest
Meanwhile, the police released details about the demonstration outside Allu Arjun's house. A police press note revealed that around 4:45 PM on Sunday, a group began protesting outside the actor's Jubilee Hills residence, brandishing placards and chanting vigorously. One protestor climbed onto the house wall and started throwing tomatoes.
Clash with Security Guards
When security personnel instructed them to get off the wall and tried to restrain them, the protestors got into an altercation with the guards. Subsequently, protestors descended from the wall, clashing with the guards and smashing flower pots placed on the ramp. They continued shouting slogans for a while and spoke with media personnel stationed at the gate. Upon receiving information about the incident, Jubilee Hills police arrived and took eight protestors into custody.
Police Assurance of Action
Upon enquiry, the detained individuals identified themselves as members of OU-JAC (Usmania University Joint Action Committee). They claimed to be protesting to appeal to the actor for help to a victim's family. Police registered a case against other individuals involved in the incident. They assured severe action against the culprits. DCP West Zone, Hyderabad warned the public that anyone disturbing law and order will face strict action.
Allu Arjun Appeals to Fans
Earlier, actor Allu Arjun had shared a post urging people to refrain from any inappropriate behavior. Amid rising tensions, Allu Arjun requested everyone, both online and offline, to avoid derogatory behavior or language. He emphasized maintaining respect and positivity, urging his followers to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Express Your Feelings with Responsibility
Allu Arjun wrote - I appeal to all my fans to express their feelings responsibly, as they always do. Avoid resorting to abusive language or behavior online or offline. If anyone with fake IDs and fake profiles falsely posing as my fans posts something offensive, strict action will be taken against them. I request fans not to engage with such posts. Alongside this, Allu wrote in the caption - I appeal to all my loved ones to express their emotions responsibly and refrain from using inappropriate language or behavior both online and offline.
Source: aajtak
What Did Allu Arjun’s Father Say?
Actor Allu Arjun’s father and producer Allu Aravind addressed the incident at their Jubilee Hills residence. He noted that it is a time for patience and advised against any reaction. Allu Aravind remarked, "It’s time to act with restraint. We should not react to this situation. Police have registered a case against the attackers and detained them. If any attack reoccurs, police have deployed forces nearby for security." He appealed to the masses not to encourage such occurrences.
Police Release CCTV Footage
In contrast, Hyderabad police released the CCTV footage from Sandhya Theatre on Sunday, showing Allu Arjun leaving the theater under rigorous police protection following the chaos. This footage counters the actor's earlier claim that police never requested him to leave the theater.
Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP) Ramesh dismissed Allu Arjun’s claims, indicating that the actor was informed about the upheaval while watching the film. He also hinted that the actor’s team hindered police efforts to meet him.
ACP Ramesh disclosed, "Allu Arjun’s manager Santosh was the first to be informed about the woman's death and the deteriorating situation. We also communicated about a boy hospitalized due to the incident, but Santosh and his team didn’t allow us to access the actor."
CM Accuses Arjun of Attending Without Permission
Telangana’s CM Revanth Reddy accused that Allu Arjun attended the premiere without police authorization. He claimed that the actor refused to leave the cinema, necessitating police intervention to remove him forcibly. CM Reddy remarked, "On December 2, Sandhya Theatre's management sought security from the police anticipating the presence of prominent personalities. However, due to crowd control concerns and having just one entry and exit point at the theatre, the request was denied."
Allu Arjun Refutes Allegations
Allu Arjun dismissed the allegations, stating, "This claim is wholly inaccurate. In fact, the police were clearing the path for me, and I was following their direction upon arrival at the theater."
