Union Minister Chirag Paswan has backed the ‘Leave India’ notice issued to actor Imran Khan, arguing that the actor should have refrained from participating in a protest in Mumbai because he is not an Indian citizen.
Speaking to reporters, Paswan said that although he appreciated Khan’s work as an actor, his foreign citizenship meant he should have exercised caution before joining a political demonstration. Khan, who holds American citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, has reportedly been accused of violating the Foreigners Act.
“Imran Khan should have stayed away from the protest,” Paswan said, describing what he termed attempts to create anarchy in the country with backing from foreign powers.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief said that while Indian citizens had the right to participate in protests, the involvement of foreign nationals in such demonstrations raised concerns.
“I like the actor and his work. But he should have realised that he did not become an Indian citizen just by virtue of having worked in the country for so long,” Paswan said.
He added that he was concerned, as a member of the Union government, about alleged attempts to create unrest in the country with foreign backing.
Khan reportedly received the notice days after participating in a demonstration in Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The actor, who is a nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, was born in the United States and holds American citizenship. He grew up in India and has been associated with the Indian film industry for more than a decade.
The notice has brought attention to the distinction between OCI status and Indian citizenship. An OCI card provides eligible foreign citizens of Indian origin with certain privileges in India, but it does not confer Indian citizenship.
The action against Khan has reportedly been linked to alleged violations of the Foreigners Act. The allegations and the legal basis for the notice remain matters to be assessed through the relevant proceedings.
During his interaction with the media, Paswan also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for proceeding with a scheduled rally in Goa, where Assembly elections are expected in the coming months.
The minister contrasted Gandhi’s political engagements with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s decision to cancel his scheduled programmes in Kolkata following a deadly stampede at a Durga Puja pandal.
Paswan praised Shah for what he described as sensitivity towards the tragedy, in which 19 people were reported killed.
He argued that the contrasting decisions reflected different priorities, criticising the Opposition for continuing political activities while the city was dealing with the aftermath of the incident.
The stampede in Kolkata, which claimed 19 lives, prompted reactions from political leaders, including Shah, who cancelled his scheduled programmes in the city.
Paswan expressed grief over the loss of lives and commended the Home Minister’s decision, using the incident to question the Congress leadership’s approach to its political engagements.
His remarks brought two separate issues into the political spotlight: the controversy surrounding Imran Khan’s participation in a Mumbai protest and the response of political leaders to the deadly incident in Kolkata.
While Paswan defended the action taken against Khan on the grounds of his foreign citizenship, his comments on Rahul Gandhi added a political dimension to the debate over the handling of the Kolkata tragedy.