Mumbai, 15 October

Opposition parties in Maharashtra on Thursday hit out at the government over actor Imran Khan, a US citizen, being asked to leave India for participating in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

While Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the government was scared, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule said Khan did not commit any crime but only took part in a protest, whereas leaders who have been accused of rape and murder are currently serving as chief ministers of many states.

The Mumbai Police have issued a notice to Imran Khan, a Bollywood actor and an American national, directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.

The action follows the actor's participation in an agitation at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on October 10, where protesters demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Police had briefly detained Khan during the demonstration.

Talking to reporters here, Raut said, "The government is scared if Imran Khan is asked to leave the country for participating against the SIR protest in favour of the youth."

Many Bollywood stars are NRIs and foreign nationals, he said.

Raut also sought to know why the government does not ask former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina to leave the country.

Hasina has been in exile in India after fleeing Bangladesh during mass student-led protests in August 2024.

Sule came out in support of Khan and said everyone has the right to protest.

"Everyone has a right to protest. Now, someone will say that he (Khan) has a foreign passport. Many of my friends live abroad. They also protest," the Baramati MP said.

"He (Khan) is being asked to leave...What crime has he committed? Many who have been accused of rape and murder are chief ministers of many states. The CM of a big state has murder charges against him yet he remains the CM. He (Khan) has just protested," Sule said.

Khan (43), who has acted in several Bollywood films, is the nephew of superstar Aamir Khan.

Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya had sought action against Imran Khan after he participated in the protest.