Imran Khan Ordered to Leave India After Protests Against Election Commissioner

Mumbai, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : Actor Imran Khan has been issued a notice to leave India following his participation in protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Mumbai. The notice was served by local police and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which the ruling party supports, stating that Khan has no right to remain in the country.

Atul Bhatkhalkar, a BJP legislator, commented on the situation, saying, “A person who is not a citizen of this country should not participate in its protests. Imran Khan is not an Indian citizen, yet he is here demonstrating against the Chief Election Commissioner. This clearly indicates foreign influences behind these activities.”

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Dev emphasized that Khan is a U.S. citizen working in India under a work permit. He questioned why Khan has not taken Indian citizenship if he is residing here for work. “Foreign nationals are not permitted to protest in India,” he added, insisting that Khan should leave immediately, taking his family with him for their safety.

BJP MP Rahul Sinha echoed these sentiments, stating that foreign citizens should not engage in ongoing movements within India. He supported the police’s decision to issue the deportation notice.

Guru Prakash, a national spokesperson for the BJP, reiterated that Khan’s illegal activities on a visa could lead to legal consequences. Shyam Rajak, a leader from the Janata Dal (United), reinforced the view that only citizens may partake in national activities, asserting that foreigners come to India for education, tourism, or work, but not to participate in protests.

Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, a spokesperson for JDU, stated that Khan’s foreign citizenship disqualifies him from joining Indian movements. He confirmed that the police and administration must enforce the deportation notice.

In a related statement, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj highlighted significant national issues, including the construction of the Ram Temple and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that foreign funding is undermining India’s stability. He warned that foreign forces aim to disrupt the vision of a developed India by 2047.

Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP S.P. Vaid reiterated that as a non-citizen, Khan cannot participate in political protests, which is against Indian law. He deemed the deportation notice a justified action.

Khan had joined the protests on October 10 at August Kranti Maidan, where he was briefly detained by Mumbai police. Following this, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya lodged a complaint against him, prompting the FRRO and Mumbai police to issue the notice under violations of immigration and foreign laws. Khan has been instructed to leave India by October 28.