MUMBAI: Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit has welcomed the Mumbai Police’s notice directing Bollywood actor Imran Khan to leave India by October 28 following his participation in a political protest in Mumbai. Pandit said foreign nationals and those who are not Indian citizens should understand the legal restrictions governing their participation in political demonstrations before taking to the streets.According to news agency ANI, the notice was issued after Imran Khan, who reportedly holds a US passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, participated in a protest at August Kranti Maidan last week. The demonstration called for the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Action has reportedly been initiated against the actor under Sections 29 and 7 of the Immigration Act over allegations that he took part in the protest despite not being an Indian citizen.Reacting to the police action, Pandit said he was pleased with the decision and accused those participating in such demonstrations of potentially creating unrest in the country. He also suggested that individuals should educate themselves about their legal rights and obligations before joining political protests.“I am really very happy …because when you don’t have a right to protest, and you are not a citizen of this country, you go all out to see to it that our country is defamed. So, it can be under certain instructions by people who are enemies of our country within and outside, across the borders. So, you came on the streets to fight for your rights without realising it, without being educated to know what rights you have. So, first educate yourself, study, and ask your family members and elders to explain whether you are allowed to take to the streets and wage a war against this country, because you are trying to create unrest in the country,” he expressed.
Imran Khan questions restrictions
The actor was detained by Mumbai Police on Saturday while participating in the demonstration. Following his detention, Khan posted a photograph of himself apparently sitting inside a police van, with the caption, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”Speaking to the media after the incident, Khan said he had attended the protest as a citizen of Mumbai and was not there to advance any specific demands. He also raised questions about restrictions on freedom of movement and the suppression of people’s voices.The police notice directing him to leave India by October 28 has brought renewed attention to the rules governing political activities by foreign nationals and OCI cardholders.
Abhijit Dipke backs Imran Khan
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist Abhijit Dipke also reacted to the controversy, questioning what he described as differing standards for political expression by foreign nationals.Supporting Khan, Dipke wrote on X, “Mary Millben, an American, can speak in favour of the BJP. But Imran, an OCI cardholder, can’t say anything against the BJP .”Earlier, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had called for Khan’s immediate arrest and deportation, alleging that the actor had violated OCI provisions and visa conditions by participating in the demonstration.According to ANI, Somaiya said he had submitted evidence to the police concerning Khan’s speeches during the protest and his earlier remarks. He alleged that the actor had misused his OCI status by taking part in what he described as an illegal political agitation.Speaking to the media, Somaiya accused Khan of displaying what he termed “political extremism” and urged the authorities to take immediate action.“The citizens of India cannot tolerate the political extremism that Imran Khan has been displaying during his recent stay in the country. He is an American citizen holding an OCI card, yet he has attempted to misuse his status. Today, we submitted all proofs and evidence to the police regarding his conduct—specifically the speeches he delivered during the protest and his earlier comments,” Somaiya said.The controversy has sparked a debate over the participation of foreign citizens and OCI cardholders in political demonstrations in India, with supporters of the actor raising questions about freedom of expression and critics arguing that immigration rules and the conditions attached to OCI status must be respected.(With agency inputs)
