‘All are equal before law’: Revanth Reddy rejects criticism over Allu Arjun’s arrest

Telangana CM defends Allu Arjun's arrest, emphasizing equal application of law regardless of status, sparking political controversy.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has defended the recent arrest of Telugu cinema star Allu Arjun, asserting that the law applies equally to all citizens, irrespective of their status. He added that the law would take its course.

Speaking at a discussion forum organized by a media organisation in New Delhi on Friday, the Chief Minister addressed the incident that occurred during the premiere of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, which resulted in a stampede, leaving one woman dead and her child hospitalised in critical condition.

Mr. Reddy clarified that the police acted according to the law and denied any political motivations behind the arrest. “Is it a movie star? Is it a political star? Our government doesn’t care. We only care about who committed the crime. A woman died in the incident—who is responsible for this?” he questioned, criticising Allu Arjun’s actions during the premiere at Sandhya Theatre.

“Allu Arjun arrived at the theatre without informing the police, leading to chaos among fans. If he had come to the theatre quietly and watched the movie without creating a commotion, this tragedy could have been avoided,” he said adding that the actor’s rally-like arrival caused fans to rush, resulting in the fatal stampede.

Mr. Reddy also dismissed allegations of personal bias, noting his familial connections with Allu Arjun’s wife and her family.

“The Constitution written by Ambedkar applies equally to everyone in this country, from the common citizen to the Prime Minister. Family ties do not influence the actions of this government,” he asserted, saying that he had known Allu Arjun since the latter was in school. He also added that Allu Arjun’s wife is his relative. “His father-in-law is a Congress leader, and his uncle Chiranjeevi is a Congress leader,” he said.

Making films is Allu Arjun’s business, “he earns money, and that is his right. But the same legal processes apply to him as to anyone else,” Mr. Reddy said.