Vijay Deverakonda booked under SC/ST Act for remarks against tribals

Hyderabad: A case has been registered against actor Vijay Deverakonda under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly making remarks about tribal communities during a film pre-release event, police said on Sunday.

According to officials, the actor reportedly likened the recent terror attack in Pahalgam to tribal wars from 500 years ago while addressing the gathering at the April event.

“The actor made comments in April. However, based on a complaint, a case under the underSC/ST Act was booked against him on June 17,” a police official told PTI.

Nenavath Ashok Kumar Naik, also known as Ashok Rathod, State President of the Joint Action Committee of Tribal Communities, has filed a complaint against actor Vijay Deverakonda over allegedly offensive remarks made during a pre-release event for the film Retro, starring actor Surya.

According to the complaint, Deverakonda made comments that were deeply insulting to tribal communities, allegedly drawing a comparison between them and Pakistani terrorists—remarks perceived as racially insensitive and hurtful.

In response, the actor issued a statement on X on May 3, stating that he had no intention of targeting or offending any community, especially Scheduled Tribes, whom he said he deeply respects and considers integral to the nation.

“If any part of my message was misunderstood or hurtful, I expressed my sincere regret. My only aim was to speak of peace, progress and togetherness. I remain committed to using my platform to uplift and unify—never divide,” he wrote.

The police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

(inputs from PTI)