Indian authorities have ordered Bollywood actor Imran Khan to leave the country after he participated in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He has been told to leave India by October 28. The actor's lawyer has announced that they will approach the Bombay High Court against this order.
Imran Khan is the nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan. A US citizen, Imran holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. This card allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to travel to and reside in India. However, OCI cardholders cannot vote or run in elections.
Police stated on Thursday that Imran took part in a movement on October 10 at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai, organized to demand reforms in the election commission and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Following this incident, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued him a notice to leave the country on charges of violating the law.
However, Imran's lawyer claims there is no legal provision prohibiting OCI cardholders from participating in protests. Describing the notice issued by the Mumbai police as a harsh step, they are preparing to fight it legally.
The complaint against Imran was filed by Kirit Somaiya, a leader of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He alleged that the actor is involved in a conspiracy to spread chaos in India. Without directly commenting on this allegation, Imran explained the reason for his participation in the protest.
He told journalists, 'I did not come with any demands. As a human being and a resident living in this city, I came here to see why people's freedom of movement is being restricted, why people's voices are being suppressed.' He also stated that he did not take part in the protest as a representative of any organization.
Following his participation in the protest, police detained Imran along with several others. He later posted a photo of himself sitting inside a police van on the social media platform Instagram. In the caption, he wrote, 'Looks like I am being taken for a drive.' The post received more than two million likes.
The movement, called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has spread to various parts of India. For several days, protesters have been demonstrating, accusing the election commission of vote fraud and demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner as well as electoral reforms. However, the Election Commission of India has denied the allegations of vote fraud.
Meanwhile, over the past weekend, thousands of people demonstrated in various parts of India, including Delhi and Mumbai. On Monday, opposition leaders, including Congress Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi, led a march from Connaught Place to the Supreme Court in Delhi. On Wednesday, two top CJP leaders were sentenced to five days in prison for trespassing at a protest site in Delhi. The organization has called for fresh protests in the capital city of Delhi on Friday evening.
Imran Khan gained widespread recognition with the 2008 romantic comedy film Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. As a child artist, he acted in the films Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988 and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar in 1992. Later, he starred in films such as I Hate Luv Storys, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, and Delhi Belly. After a hiatus of more than a decade, he returned to acting this year through the Netflix film Adhure Hum Adhure Tum.
