Arresting Constitution!

 

Yesterday, as I followed the proceedings in Parliament, I watched the Congress accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a fascist and posture as protectors of the Constitution. On any other day, I might have dismissed it as typical political theatre. But what happened later in Telangana was impossible to ignore.  

Actor Allu Arjun was arrested in a manner so high-handed and outrageous that it left me stunned. The Telangana police barged into his bedroom in Hyderabad, denied him the dignity of changing his clothes, allowed him only a cup of tea and a glass of water, and whisked him away to the police station. They demanded 12 days of custody, despite no substantial case against him. Thankfully, the Telangana High Court intervened in the dead of night—at 4 a.m.—and granted him interim bail.  

The official reason for Arjun’s arrest was his alleged connection to a tragic stampede during the Pushpa 2 premiere, which claimed the life of a 39-year-old woman. However, this justification doesn’t hold water. The incident occurred at Sandhya Theatre, a venue that Arjun doesn’t own, manage, or control. Legally, under the doctrine of vicarious liability, an individual cannot be held responsible for the actions or omissions of another unless there is a clear, direct connection or authority over the event in question.  

In this case, there was no such connection. Arjun, as an actor, was merely present at the premiere. He did not organise the event, nor did he oversee the theatre’s management. Arresting him under these circumstances was not just legally questionable—it was a blatant misuse of the law.  

So, why was Allu Arjun arrested? I believe the answer lies in politics. Arjun is related to Pawan Kalyan, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, who has been vocal about Hindu causes and politically active in erstwhile Nizam territories. His campaigns have irked the Congress leadership. Arresting Arjun feels like a calculated move to send a message, especially since rumours suggest that Arjun’s real “offence” was failing to mention Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s name at a public event.  

This isn’t just an abuse of law; it’s an abuse of power. And it’s not an isolated incident. It’s part of a broader pattern of authoritarian behaviour that Congress has displayed repeatedly.  

The hypocrisy of the Congress is undeniable. In Karnataka, the Congress government has filed frivolous FIRs against critics of the Gandhi family, including journalists like Ajeet Bharti and platforms like The Jaipur Dialogues. This pattern of targeting dissenting voices is not the mark of a party committed to democracy.  

And let’s not forget history. From the First Amendment, where Nehru curbed freedom of speech, to the imprisonment of lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri for criticising him, Congress has consistently undermined democratic values. Yesterday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reminded the nation of these facts in Parliament.  

The Congress’ accusations of fascism against Modi fall flat when examined against their own actions. If Modi were truly a dictator, Rahul Gandhi wouldn’t be free to disrupt Parliament and hurl insults at the Prime Minister daily. On the contrary, Congress-led governments have demonstrated fascist tendencies, silencing critics, abusing the law, and misusing state power to settle scores.  

Allu Arjun’s arrest epitomises this hypocrisy. It’s not Modi who is dismantling democracy; it’s the Congress, through actions like these, that undermines public trust in our institutions.  

As I reflect on these events, I feel a deep sense of frustration. How long will Congress get away with this double standard? They claim to defend the Constitution, yet their actions repeatedly contradict their words. The arrest of Allu Arjun is a wake-up call, a reminder of the Congress’ misuse of power and disregard for democratic principles.  

If Congress truly wishes to be seen as protectors of the Constitution, they must start by respecting it themselves. Otherwise, their lofty speeches in Parliament will remain hollow, and their hypocrisy will continue to erode the very democracy they claim to uphold.