Actor Imran Khan asked to leave India in 2 weeks after being detained at Mumbai protests

Actor Imran Khan has been asked to leave India by October 28 after Mumbai Police detained him during a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

According to Indian media reports, Khan, who is an American citizen and the nephew of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, received a Leave India Notice (LIN) following his participation in the demonstration at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai.

Mumbai Police said in its notice that the actor had been instructed to leave the country by October 28. The notice reportedly cited his participation in the protest despite not being an Indian citizen.

Imran Khan Speaks Out Before Detention

Before being detained by police, Khan explained why he had joined the demonstration, saying he was there as someone who lives in Mumbai and wanted to understand why freedom of movement was being restricted and people's voices were being suppressed.

The actor said he was not making demands of anyone and was not affiliated with any organisation. He described himself as someone who had come to express concern over the situation.

Actor's Detention Goes Viral on Social Media

Khan, who has been on a break from Bollywood, quickly became a trending topic online after videos showing his detention circulated on social media.

A photograph he shared after being detained reportedly received more than two million likes, drawing widespread attention to his participation in the protest and the police action.

Opposition Demands Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation

Calls for Election Commission of India (ECI) chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign have intensified in recent weeks. Opposition parties and critics have raised concerns about the voter roll revision exercise, arguing that it could disenfranchise millions of voters and potentially benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Election Commission has rejected allegations of wrongdoing. It has maintained that the revision aims to remove duplicate and ineligible voters, including foreign nationals residing in India illegally.

Security Tightened Ahead of Demonstrations

Authorities implemented extensive security measures ahead of the protest. Thousands of police personnel were deployed in the capital, dozens of metro stations were closed, more than 200 trains were cancelled, and mobile internet services were temporarily suspended around the protest site.

The measures reflected heightened security concerns as demonstrations against the voter revision exercise continued.

Protests Recall Earlier Mass Mobilisation

The demonstrations have drawn comparisons with the mass mobilisation of the so-called "cockroach" movement in July, which led to the education minister stepping down following an examination scandal.

The latest protests focus on demands for Kumar's resignation and a halt to the voter roll revision exercise, with critics continuing to question its potential impact on voters.