Authorities for India don order actor Imran Khan, wey be nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, make e leave di country before 28 October. Di order come after di actor join protest wey dey seek electoral reforms. Imran Khan na American citizen. E hold Overseas Citizen of India card, wey dey allow people of Indian origin visit and stay for di country. But OCI holder no fit vote or contest election.
Police tok for statement on Thursday say, ‘Imran Khan participated in di agitation at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan, demanding di resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.’ Khan lawyer don talk say di actor go challenge di order for Bombay High Court.
Police also talk say di Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office serve Khan notice for violating laws by protesting. But im lawyer argue say no provision of law or any rule for OCI cardholders stop am from joining protest. Press Trust of India report say di actor petition against di Mumbai police notice call di notice ‘drastic.’
Khan na known face for di 2008 hit romantic comedy Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. E first show as child actor for popular films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak for 1988 and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar for 1992. Since e debut as lead actor for 2008, e don star for films like I Hate Luv Storys, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Delhi Belly. Di notice to leave di country come as Khan return to acting dis year with di Netflix film Adhure Hum Adhure Tum after hiatus of over one decade.
On 10 October, di actor join protest wey Cockroach Janta Party call. Na wider GenZ-led movement wey don hold demonstrations for days dey seek electoral reforms and di resignation of India top election official over allegations of vote fraud. India poll panel deny di charges.
For police statement, dem talk say, ‘Imran Khan had participated in di agitation despite not being an Indian citizen.’ Di complaint against Khan come from Kirit Somaiya, leader of India and di state governing Bharatiya Janata Party. Somaiya accuse di actor say e ‘involved in a conspiracy to spread anarchy in India.’
Khan no address Somaiya allegation directly, but e bin speak to reporters about why e join di protest. ‘I don’t have demands. I’m here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I’m here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted, why people’s voices are being suppressed,’ na wetin e talk. E add say e no dey di protest as representative of any organisation. After di protest, police briefly detain Khan along with other protesters.
