HYDERABAD: The Centre slammed Allu Arjun’s arrest on Friday saying the Congress govt in Telangana was “indulging in publicity stunts” by arresting the national award-winning actor to deflect the blame for the stampede outside Sandhya Theatre on Dec 4 which claimed the life of a woman. However, CM A Revanth Reddy justified the action saying there are no separate laws for film stars and politicians.
Backing the actor, Union I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the stampede was a clear case of poor arrangements by the state and local administration. “Congress has no respect for the creative industry and the arrest of Allu Arjun proves it yet again,” he said on X, adding that Telangana govt should assist those affected by the stampede and punish those making the arrangements on Dec 4 “instead of continuously attacking film personalities”.
Talking to media, the CM stressed that the law was equal for all, recalling that even Bollywood stars like Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan were arrested in various cases. “Who is responsible for the death of the woman in the stampede? The film was made with huge investment by the producers to make money and not for any social cause,” Revanth said.
Admitting that his govt had given permission for the show on Dec 4, the CM said: “Had the film hero come in a car and watched the movie silently, there would have been no issue. But he came out of his car and waved to the crowds. Police and security could not control the crowds, which led to the unfortunate incident . That’s why the film hero was booked.” The CM said police followed the due procedure in booking and arresting Allu Arjun, going to his house nine days after the stampede.
Revanth said he was monitoring the developments after the stampede. “If the film hero was not booked, people would be asking govt why there is special treatment for Allu Arjun,” he said, adding that he knew the actor very well and his father-in-law Chandrasekhar Reddy is a Congress neta who is also his relative. Allu Arjun’s uncle, mega star Chiranjeevi, is also a Congress leader, the CM added.