Actor and singer Saba Azad has criticised the notice asking actor Imran Khan to leave India, calling the development “absolute BS”. Her reaction came after the actor, who holds US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, was directed to leave the country by October 28 following his participation in a political protest in Mumbai.

Sharing a report about the notice, Saba expressed her disbelief at the action taken against Imran.

The notice was issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) after Imran took part in a demonstration organised in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The actor, who is the nephew of Aamir Khan, was among hundreds of people briefly detained by Mumbai Police during the protest.

Why was Imran Khan asked to leave India?

Imran participated in the demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10. The protest called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and was part of a wider agitation by CJP and its supporters over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.

The movement has raised concerns about the removal of names from voter lists during the Election Commission’s revision exercises, alleging that eligible voters could be affected. The campaign has drawn participation from political activists and opposition figures in different parts of the country.

Imran attended the Mumbai demonstration alongside his partner, Lekha Washington, and cousin Zayn Marie Khan. All three were among more than 400 protesters detained by the police and were released later that evening.

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The incident subsequently drew the attention of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who approached the police and alleged that Imran’s participation in the agitation violated the rules applicable to foreign nationals and OCI cardholders. His complaint was forwarded for further action, leading to the notice directing the actor to leave India by October 28.

What is Imran Khan’s citizenship status?

Although Imran is part of the Indian film industry, he is a US citizen and holds an OCI card rather than Indian citizenship. The OCI scheme allows eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin to live in India on a long-term basis, subject to applicable rules and restrictions.

OCI cardholders do not have the same political rights as Indian citizens, and their activities in India remain subject to the country’s immigration laws. The action against Imran has brought these restrictions into focus, particularly the rules governing the participation of foreign nationals in political activities.

Imran is expected to challenge the FRRO notice before the Bombay High Court. According to reports, his legal team, led by advocate Zulfiquar Memon, is preparing to file a petition against the directive on Monday.

Meanwhile, Saba’s reaction has added a celebrity voice to the debate surrounding the notice and Imran’s participation in the protest.