Cubbon Reads' Secret Santa event disrupted by Cubbon Park authorities over permission issues
Bengaluru: The ‘Secret Santa’ event organised by the silent reading group Cubbon Reads in Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park was abruptly halted on Saturday afternoon after park authorities confiscated a large number of books and detained event curators. The disruption occurred when the event attracted a significantly larger crowd than the organisers had anticipated.
The Secret Santa event involved attendees bringing wrapped books, which were then randomly re-distributed based on a numbered chit. Following the confiscation, the group took to social media to express their frustration, saying, “We really hope they give the books back as it was merely a gift… we were not doing it for any commercial reason.”
While the authorities claim that over 1,000 people attended, the group maintains that the turnout was around 500, acknowledging that they had not expected such a big turnout.
Kusuma G, Deputy Director of Horticulture at Cubbon Park, told Deccan Herald that any gathering of more than 20 people at the park requires prior permission from the department, which Cubbon Reads had not obtained. She explained that to hold events, a fee of Rs 30,000 and a security deposit of Rs 20,000 are required, regardless of whether the event is free or non-commercial. She further clarified that while events like marathons, walkathons, yoga sessions, and book readings are permitted, religious activities are not allowed in the park.
In a another statement, Cubbon Reads alleged that the curators were detained for two hours and had to contact senior officials to leave along with the confiscated books. The group claimed they were also required to write an apology letter. They accused Cubbon Park authorities of threatening their curators' careers and demeaning those who did not speak Kannada. Additionally, the group was allegedly threatened with an FIR and a fine of Rs 35,000.
One of the event curators told DH that they were asked to unwrap a book, as the authorities suspected it contained unlawful things. The curator suggested that the issue seemed to stem from a broader discomfort with young people, rather than the event itself.
Another curator claimed that the authorities’ tone and behaviour changed after a lawyer intervened and contacted a top-level officer. The confiscated books were eventually returned.
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Allu Arjun didn't leave theatre despite being told about woman's death: Hyderabad police
Hyderabad, Dec 22: Top Telugu actor Allu Arjun did not leave the theatre during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' on December 4 despite being told to do so in view of a stampede in which a woman died, police officials claimed on on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference on the annual round-up of 2024, city police commissioner C V Anand showed a video, made by police, on the situation that prevailed when the stampede occurred.
The video was made by collating footage, including from news channels and cell phone clips. It suggests the actor remained in the theatre till the midnight.
Anand did not make any comment on the video, but said the media can draw its own conclusions.
A police official talked about the sequence of events on the fateful night of December 4.
He said that he and other police officials informed a manager of Allu Arjun about the death of the woman and told him that the situation was out of control. He indicated that they were not allowed to meet the actor.
Allu Arjun's staff members told them that they would convey the matter to the actor but did not do so, he said.
The official said he later managed to reach the actor, told him about the woman's death and asked him to leave the theatre so that the fans don't harm each other while trying to catch a glimpse of him.
The official also told the actor that security arrangements would be made for his exit.
However, the actor said he would go only after watching the film, the police official said.
Later, accompanied by a senior officer, the official went inside and brought the actor out, he said.
Amid allegations that bouncers hired by Allu Arjun pushed crowds as well as policemen when the stampede occurred at the cinema hall, the police commissioner warned that stringent action as per law would be taken if THE bouncers indeed misbehaved with the police on duty.
The VIPs would be made responsible for the behaviour of the bouncers hired by them, he said.
Asked if the police would appeal against the interim bail granted to Allu Arjun, the commissioner refused to give a direct response, just saying it is part of the investigation.
What course of action is taken would be known in the days to come, he said.
He also declined to comment when asked if the family of the deceased told him about Allu Arjun's team or film production team allegedly threatening them not to speak on the issue.
Meanwhile, state Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy found fault with Allu Arjun responding on Saturday to the debate in the Legislative Assembly.
The minister, who observed that the actor should have respect for the government and the chief minister, demanded an apology from Allu Arjun to the government and the CM.
"This government is never vindictive. As Cinematography Minister, we allowed benefit shows and hiking ticket prices to promote the film industry," he said.
However, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar found fault with CM Revanth Reddy for his comments on Allu Arjun in the Assembly on Saturday.
The comments of the CM sounded like character assassination of Allu Arjun and hurting the Telugu film industry, he alleged in a statement.
Later in the day, Sanjay Kumar visited a boy who is undergoing treatment in a hospital after being injured in the stampede.
"Consoled his father over the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Revathi. I pray to god that Sritej recovers at the earliest. Assured support to the family in this difficult time," Kumar said on X.
Earlier in the day, state DGP Jitender told reporters in Karimnagar district that film personalities and all others should understand that safety and security of citizens is utmost important, and also conduct themselves accordingly.
