Opposition slams govt over Imran Khan’s exit notice after protest

Opposition leaders in Maharashtra on Thursday criticised the government after Bollywood actor Imran Khan was asked to leave India following his participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that the government was scared of protests, while NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule questioned the action against the actor, saying he had committed no crime.

Mumbai Police have issued a notice to Khan, directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. The action follows his participation in an agitation at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10, where protesters demanded Kumar’s resignation. Khan was briefly detained during the demonstration.

Speaking to reporters, Raut questioned the decision to ask Khan to leave the country for participating in the protest. He also pointed out that several Bollywood celebrities were non-resident Indians or foreign nationals.

Raut further questioned why the government had not asked former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina to leave India. Hasina has been living in exile in the country since fleeing Bangladesh amid mass student-led protests in August 2024.

Sule also defended Khan, asserting that everyone had the right to protest, irrespective of their nationality.

“What crime has he committed? Many who have been accused of rape and murder are chief ministers of many states,” she said, alleging that political leaders facing serious charges continued to hold office while Khan was being asked to leave for participating in a demonstration.

Aaditya Thackeray member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Worli, Mumbai, wrote on X, “So just like @SauravDassss and @AshutoshRanka were sent to jail by the regime for holding a in their hand and waving it at Jantar Mantar- in our own country, Apparently, Imran Khan, the actor holding an OCI, has been sent a notice by the regime to leave India. His crime: going to August Kranti Maidan, while the regime brutally picked up citizens, at a peaceful protest called by the great- grandson of Mahatma Gandhi- @TusharG ji.”