Indian film star and BJP supporter Kasturi arrested for alleged racist remarks

South Indian film star and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter Kasturi Shankar was arrested in Hyderabad on charges of making alleged racist remarks.

Her detention follows the rejection of her anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court’s Madurai bench. Police arrested Shankar at a friend's residence in Hyderabad’s Gachibowli area after a brief period in hiding.

A senior officer from Cyberabad Police Commissionerate told IANS that a team from Egmore police station arrived in Hyderabad Saturday and arrested Kasthuri from her flat in Narsingi.

The officer said that Kasthuri was booked under Sections 191 and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Act of 2023. The police team arrested the actor and will be taking her to Chennai on transit.

The actor was under investigation for controversial remarks made about the Telugu community during a gathering on Nov.3 in Chennai.

Accusations against Kasthuri include hate speech and targeting the Telugu community, which she refuted, claiming her statements were misinterpreted.

The anticipatory bail moved by Kasthuri was denied by the Madras High Court on Nov.14 in a case related to her alleged derogatory remarks about the Telugu community.

Justice Anand Venkatesh, who dismissed the actor's bail plea, observed that her comments were "unwarranted" and noted that her apology did not adequately address the controversial statements.

The case stems from remarks Kasthuri made on November 3 at a Brahmin gathering in Chennai.

She allegedly said that Telugu-speaking people in Tamil Nadu were descendants of courtesans, who came to serve the kings 300 years ago and were now claiming Tamil origins.

Kasthuri's comments drew widespread criticism, prompting a member of the Naidu Mahajana Sangam State executive committee to file an FIR against her.

In response to the backlash, the 50-year-old actor later issued an apology on social media platform X, claiming that "false news" was being spread by "Tamil Nadu's Goebbels and the anti-Hindu DMK network."

"My intent was never to offend the Telugu community. I apologise if I unintentionally caused anyone distress." "She also expressed her love and loyalty for the Telugu community, stating, "People of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will never fall for their lies."

Justice Venkatesh while rejecting Kasthuri's bail plea, said that she "should have refrained from speaking against the women of the Telugu community."

The court criticised the actor's comments and found her apology insufficient, as it did not directly address the remarks about women.

Kasthuri, who actively campaigned for the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has been distanced by the Tamil Nadu BJP, which condemned her statements. She later issued a clarification, claiming her comments were misinterpreted.

 Kasturi Shankar, known for her roles in Bollywood and various South Indian films, has actively campaigned for the BJP, most recently during the 2024 general elections in Madurai.

Agencies