The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai has issued a notice directing renowned actor Imran Khan, who holds US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, to leave India by October 28. The action followed a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya, who questioned the actor’s participation in a political protest in Mumbai.
India has been observing a nationwide protest, driven by a once satirical response to a youth-led political party, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The protests initially originated from a mix of an insulting judicial comment, severe education scandal and deep-seated frustration over unemployment. Over time, the protest transformed into demanding the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, over alleged removal of 130 million names from national voter lists, a move protesters argue unfairly favors Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party.
The Bollywood star, Imran Khan participated in a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai Central on October 10. Following the demonstration, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya urged the Mumbai Police to verify Khan’s citizenship status and raised concerns about whether a foreign national holding an OCI card should participate in political protests in India. He argued that Khan, who was born and educated in the United States, had earned his livelihood in India while engaging in political activities opposing the government, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI). Kirit subsequently stated that he had requested a report examining how long Khan had held US citizenship. He also expressed appreciation for the authorities’ response to his complaint.
During the protest, Imran Khan explained his presence by stating that he had attended in his capacity as a citizen rather than to advance specific demands. In a video circulated widely on social media, he questioned restrictions on freedom of movement and expressed concern about the suppression of public voices.
“I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city,” Imran said in the video. He added that he wanted to understand why freedom of movement was being restricted and why people’s voices were being suppressed.
Imran was among approximately 400 people detained during the protest centred on allegations of irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. His girlfriend, Lekha Washington, his mother, Nusrat, and his niece, Zayn (Marie), were also reportedly detained. Following the incident, Zayn (Imran Khan’s niece) also shared a video in which she alleged that police personnel had assaulted and manhandled her during the detention. She also displayed bruises that she said she sustained while in police custody.
The FRRO is responsible for overseeing the registration, movement, residence, departure and visa extensions of foreign nationals in India. It operates under the Bureau of Immigration within the Ministry of Home Affairs and coordinates its work with the police.A Mumbai Police official confirmed that the FRRO had taken action and served a notice on the actor. The official identified Imran Khan as an OCI cardholder residing in Mumbai’s Khar neighbourhood and noted that he is the nephew of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan.
The FRRO’s notice has brought renewed attention to the legal and administrative questions surrounding the participation of OCI cardholders in political demonstrations in India. Since an OCI cardholder is not considered a legal citizen of India or a dual citizen but rather a foreigner or that has certain privileges to to live in and visit India. The distinction between a citizen and OCI cardholder matters particularly in voting, political rights, public employment and immigration. Hence, they can face immigration restrictions, cancellation of OCI card or removal from India under applicable law unlike Indian citizens. However, a note directing someone to leave India is also distinct from the cancellation of OCI registration.This is because the legal ground and procedures are considered separately. The OCI framework does not expressly ban attendance at every public protest. As a result, participation in a protest does not establish that a person has committed an offence or automatically justify deportation.
As of yet, Khan has not made any new statements. So the youth that is fueling the protest is also anxiously waiting to see what happens to the star they watched growing up.
