Why Imran Khan was asked to leave India after anti-CEC protests and what BJP's Kirit Somaiya said
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
Star Imran Khan's participation in a Mumbai protest seeking chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation has landed him in an immigration row, with authorities directing him to leave the country by October 28 .
Adding to this, Star Imran Khan was among hundreds of people detained by Mumbai Police on October 10 (HT photo) The development follows a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who questioned the star's involvement in the demonstration despite his status as a foreign national.
Meanwhile, The Mumbai office of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) served the notice on Khan, an American citizen registered as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder. Somaiya had approached the police over the star's presence at the October 10 gathering at August Kranti Maidan, prompting the complaint to be referred to the immigration authorities.
Notably, The episode has brought renewed attention to the restrictions governing OCI cardholders and their participation in political activities in India. While the status allows eligible foreign citizens of Indian origin several residency and travel-related privileges, it does not confer Indian citizenship. The action against Khan has also raised questions about the legal grounds on which an OCI cardholder can be directed to leave the country.
As per the latest buzz, Imran Khan was among hundreds of people detained by Mumbai Police on October 10 during a demonstration organised in support of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The protesters were demanding Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In further updates, The gathering at August Kranti Maidan was called by Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, to express solidarity with the CJP's protest in Delhi. Police had deployed heavy security around the venue and detained demonstrators who attempted to reach the site.
On top of that, Mumbai Police shared permission had not been obtained for the proposed gathering. The force also cited Bombay High Court directions restricting protests to Azad Maidan. CJP workers, however, maintained that they had emailed the police seeking permission but had received no response.
Khan's detention drew attention after he posted a selfie from inside a police van on Instagram with the caption, “Apparently I'm going for a drive.”
Source: Hindustan Times