Stone Pelting At Allu Arjun’s Residence; Many Held
Telugu superstar Allu Arjun’s residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, became the centre of chaos on Sunday as several members of Osmania University’s Joint Action Committee (JAC) reportedly stormed the premises, damaging property and demanding compensation for a tragic stampede during the Pushpa 2: The Rule premiere. Police intervened promptly, arresting six individuals linked to the incident.
The protest was triggered by the death of a 35-year-old woman, Revathi, during a stampede at Sandhya Theatre on December 2. Revathi’s son, Sri Teja, remains critically injured. The protesters, reportedly leaders of the JAC, demanded Rs 1 crore in compensation for the victim’s family. The incident occurred when Allu Arjun attended the film’s premiere, sparking outrage among activists who accuse the actor of negligence in crowd management.
A video of the incident shows the group forcibly entering the actor’s residence, destroying flower pots, and vandalising the property. The visuals highlight the intensity of their anger, though Allu Arjun was not at home during the attack. Authorities have assured stringent legal action against those involved.
DCP West Zone, Hyderabad, confirmed the incident in a statement, and said this: “Today at around 4.45 pm, some persons holding placards in their hands suddenly rushed to the residence of actor Allu Arjun in Jubilee Hills and started sloganeering and one of them mounted the compound and started throwing tomatoes. When the security staff objected and persuaded them to get down from the wall, they got into an altercation. They climbed down the wall, manhandled the security staff and damaged some flower pots kept along the ramp. On receiving the information, Jubilee Hills Police reached the place and took the 6 persons into custody. They all claim to be part of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU-JAC). A case has been registered against the 6 persons and others who were involved in the said offences and stringent action as per law is being initiated against them all.”
The stampede has drawn sharp criticism from Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi. Addressing the Telangana Assembly, Owaisi alleged that Allu Arjun prioritised publicity over public safety. He claimed that the actor remained at the theatre despite being informed of the tragedy and allegedly remarked, “Now the film will be a hit.”
Revanth Reddy criticised the lack of adherence to police warnings about crowd safety, accusing Arjun of exacerbating the situation with a roadshow outside the theatre. BRS leader KT Rama Rao, however, defended the actor, calling his arrest “politically motivated” and a reflection of insecurity among ruling leaders.
In a press conference, Allu Arjun denied the allegations, calling the incident “unfortunate.” He stated, “Nobody is at fault. I am not here to blame anyone, and I deeply regret the tragedy.” Arjun also refuted claims that he made insensitive remarks, emphasising that misinformation was being spread. “I’ve been to this theatre many times before without incidents. I only went to watch the film I worked on for three years,” he added.
Following the stampede, Allu Arjun, his security team, and theatre management were arrested on charges of negligence leading to death under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The arrests have intensified public and industry debates about accountability in large public events. Many from the Telugu film industry, including prominent actors, visited Allu Arjun’s residence in solidarity after his release on bail.
The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage, raising questions about safety measures at large gatherings. While investigations continue, the incident has spotlighted the responsibilities of organisers and celebrities in ensuring public safety, with calls for stricter enforcement of protocols at high-profile events.
