Police arrest Kasthuri finally

Former actress Kasthuri Shankar, known for her contributions to South Indian cinema, has been arrested in Hyderabad by Chennai police over controversial remarks about the Telugu community. The arrest follows statements made last week at a rally against alleged Brahmin persecution, where she reportedly criticized the DMK political party and made remarks linking the ancestry of the Telugu community in Tamil Nadu to courtesans. Her comments have triggered widespread outrage and condemnation from the Telugu community across India.  

After the Madras High Court denied her anticipatory bail, Kasthuri reportedly went into hiding for two days before being apprehended. The arrest was initiated following a complaint filed by a member of the Naidu Mahajana Sangam State Executive Committee, citing violations under various sections of the BNS Act and the IT Act.  

While Kasthuri issued a public apology, clarifying that her comments were directed at specific individuals and not the entire community, the backlash persisted. Numerous complaints were lodged against her, accusing her of inciting communal disharmony and engaging in hate speech. The Madras High Court, in its observations, criticized her remarks, stressing that freedom of speech comes with responsibilities and does not protect against the consequences of harmful rhetoric targeting an entire community.  

Kasthuri is expected to be transported to Chennai, where she will be presented before the court to address the charges against her.