In brief
Authorities in India have directed actor Imran Khan, who holds an Overseas Citizen of India card, to leave the country by 28 October following his participation in a protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan. The protest demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner amid allegations of vote irregularities. Khan’s lawyer said he would challenge the order in the Bombay High Court, arguing that OCI holders can freely protest. The case highlights tensions between citizenship status, legal restrictions on movement and the right of public participation in democratic processes.
Authorities in India have ordered actor Imran Khan, nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, to leave the country by 28 October after he participated in a protest demanding electoral reforms.
An American citizen, Khan holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which allows people of Indian origin to visit and stay in the country. But an OCI card cannot be used to vote or contest elections.
"Imran Khan participated in the agitation at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar," police said in a statement on Thursday.
Khan’s lawyer has said the actor will challenge the order in the Bombay High Court, arguing that no provision of the law prohibits OCI holders from joining protests.
The police said the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office (FRRO) had served Khan a notice for violating laws by protesting. The complaint was lodged by Kirit Somaiya, a BJP leader who accused Khan of “involved in a conspiracy to spread anarchy in India”.
Khan did not respond to Somaiya’s charge, instead speaking to reporters about his participation as a citizen who wanted to see if freedom of movement was being restricted and people’s voices suppressed.
After the protest, Khan was briefly detained by police along with other protesters. He posted a photo from inside the detention van on Instagram, which received more than two million likes.
The protest, led by the Cockroach Janta Party – a GenZ‑led movement – has been demanding electoral reforms and the resignation of the top election official. It coincides with nationwide demonstrations in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities ahead of crucial state elections. The opposition parties, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, have joined marches calling for accountability.
