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Chirag Paswan Questions Imran Khan’s Role in Protest (Img: IANS)
New Delhi: Union Minister Chirag Paswan criticised actor Imran Khan and backed 'leave India' notice served to the actor over his participation in protests demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He backed peaceful protest by Indian citizens and said that foreign nationals should not intervene in country's internal matters.
He said Indian citizens had every right to participate in peaceful protests, but questioned the role of foreign nationals in such demonstrations.
“There is no objection to Indian citizens playing a role in matters concerning India while living within the country. I have always supported peaceful protests. However, I do not consider it justifiable for someone who is not an Indian citizen to intervene in India's internal affairs or play a role in such matters,” he said.
“For someone who is not an Indian citizen to involve themselves in India's internal affairs—especially when there are growing concerns that foreign forces may be involved in orchestrating these events—is unacceptable,” the Union Minister added.
Paswan’s remarks came days after Mumbai Police issued a ‘Leave India’ notice to Imran Khan on Thursday, directing him to leave the country by October 28. According to ANI, Khan, the nephew of actor Aamir Khan, holds an American passport.
Authorities have initiated action against the actor under Sections 29 and 7 of the Immigration Act over allegations that he took part in a protest despite not being an Indian citizen.
Khan participated in a demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan, where protesters called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Mumbai Police detained him last week.
After his detention, the actor shared a photograph that appeared to show him sitting inside a police van. He captioned the picture, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
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Khan later said he had gone to the protest site as a citizen of Mumbai and was not there to press any specific demands. He also questioned restrictions on freedom of movement and what he described as the suppression of people’s voices.
On Saturday, Khan approached the Bombay High Court to challenge the notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) over alleged violations of the Foreigners Act.
His lawyer indicated that the notice would be contested in court.
Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya demanded Khan’s immediate arrest and deportation, alleging violations of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) provisions and visa conditions.
The legal challenge to the notice comes amid the wider dispute over Khan’s participation in the protest and his immigration status.
