Imran Khan, nephew of Bollywood star Amir Khan, has worked in the Indian film industry for over a decade and holds a U.S. passport, yet he also carries an Overseas Citizen of India card. A few days after he appeared at a Mumbai demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the government issued a ‘Leave India’ notice to the actor.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan, who represents the Hajipur constituency, slammed Khan's decision to take part in the protest. He said Khan, as a non-Indian citizen, should have stayed away, arguing that foreign nationals participating in domestic demonstrations risk stirring anarchy with foreign‑backed motives.
Paswan also weighed in on the political landscape, contrasting the Home Minister's sensitivity after a Kolkata tragedy with the opposition's political rallies. He criticised Rahul Gandhi for proceeding with a Goa rally while the Home Minister had cancelled programmes in Kolkata following 19 deaths in a Durga Puja stampede.
The notice, grounded in the Foreigners Act, carries legal weight, as it alleges that Khan violated the Act by engaging in political activity without proper clearance. If the charge holds, Khan could face detention and deportation, though his legal team may challenge the notice in court.
The next step is a court hearing set to determine whether Khan must leave India; meanwhile, the incident may influence public sentiment ahead of Goa's assembly polls.