New Delhi, Oct. 15 -- A notice by Mumbai Police asking Bollywood actor Imran Khan, a US citizen, to leave the country by October 28 for participating in demonstrations against CEC Gyanesh Kumar has triggered a controversy, with the filmstar deciding to move the Bombay High Court and opposition parties terming the decision as "dictatorial".
Khan, an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder who has acted in several Bollywood films including 'I Hate Luv Storys' (2010) and 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' (2011), was served the notice by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
Khan, nephew of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, participated in an agitation at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on October 10, where protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police had briefly detained Khan during the demonstration.
A police official said a formal notice instructing Khan to leave the country by October 28 was served on the 43-year-old actor and further administrative procedures were on.
"Imran Khan holds foreign citizenship and is not an Indian national. Under relevant provisions of the Foreigners/Immigration Act, foreign nationals are prohibited from participating in political protests or political activities on Indian soil," a police official said.
Following the agitation last week, a video surfaced showing the actor responding to a reporter's query about his participation in the protest as he was being escorted to a police vehicle. "I have no demands. I am not part of any organisation," he had said.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, known for making hardline speeches, had urged Mumbai police to act against Khan for joining a protest here in support of the Cockroach Janta Party despite being a "foreign citizen" and sought clarity on whether the actor could participate in such agitations. The BJP leader on Thursday welcomed the police action against the actor and demanded that others involved in similar activities also be deported.
Meanwhile, the actor is likely to approach the Bombay High Court on Friday or Monday through his advocate Zulfiquar Memon, challenging the notice.
According to the draft plea, no provision of law or rule prohibits an OCI cardholder from participating in a peaceful protest.
Opposition leaders criticised the notice against actor Imran Khan, with Congress calling it dictatorial and allies defending his right to protest, while BJP's Somaiya sought deportation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.