Pawan Kalyan defends police, urges sensitivity in Allu Arjun stampede case

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has defended the Telangana Police in their handling of the stampede incident involving actor Allu Arjun, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to prioritize public safety. Speaking at Mangalagiri, Kalyan reportedly said, "The law is equal for all. The police acted with public safety in mind."

Also read: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy: Commited to maintaining law and order, assures support for Tollywood

The incident occurred at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre on December 4, during a screening of Pushpa 2. Chaos erupted following Allu Arjun's visit, resulting in the death of a 35-year-old woman, Revathi, and injuries to her son. Hyderabad Police registered a case against Arjun, who was later arrested and released on bail.

Kalyan, leader of the Janasena Party and an NDA ally, suggested the theatre staff could have mitigated the situation. He also called for greater sensitivity from Arjun.

Praising Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Kalyan described him as a leader focused on public welfare, citing his flexible policies that bolstered recent film successes like Pushpa 2 and Salaar.

The tragedy has polarized public opinion. While some argue Arjun is unfairly blamed, others insist he should face accountability. Meanwhile, the Telugu film industry met CM Reddy, who assured support for the industry while reaffirming the state's commitment to law and order.