Actor Imran Khan being asked to leave India has drawn mixed reactions from the film industry. While filmmaker Kiran Rao and actor Saba Azad have expressed support for him, veteran actors Raza Murad and Gajendra Chauhan have backed the authorities’ action.
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued a notice asking Imran to leave India by October 28 after he participated in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10. Imran holds American citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
Kiran reacted to the notice on Instagram, highlighting that Imran had spent most of his life in India. Saba Azad also criticised the development on social media.
Raza Murad, however, supported the authorities, saying foreign nationals should not interfere in India’s internal affairs. Gajendra Chauhan also argued that Imran should face punishment if he had violated the law.
Meanwhile, Imran’s legal team is challenging the notice in the Bombay High Court. His lawyer has argued that the law does not specifically prohibit OCI cardholders from participating in protests. The legal challenge is expected to bring further attention to the restrictions governing foreign nationals living in India.
