BJP Leader Accuses Actor Imran Khan of Receiving Pakistani Funds After Deportation Notice
NEW DELHI — Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya has accused Bollywood actor Imran Khan of receiving funding from Pakistan and other foreign sources to promote unrest in India, hours after Mumbai Police reportedly ordered the American citizen to leave the country by October 28 over his participation in a political protest.
Somaiya made the allegations Thursday in a video posted on social media, claiming that Khan and other foreign nationals were involved in activities intended to destabilize India. No evidence supporting the allegations of foreign funding was presented in the report.
“American citizen Imran Khan, receiving Pakistani funding and foreign support, and such foreign citizens are spreading conspiracies to create anarchy in India,” Somaiya claimed in the video.
The BJP leader welcomed the reported action by Mumbai Police and immigration authorities, arguing that foreign nationals accused of using overseas funding to participate in political activities should face consequences.
“I welcome Mumbai Police & Immigration Dept action asking Imran Khan to leave India by 28 October All such Foreign Citizens, Persons using Foreign Fund to create Anarchy in India should face such action,” Somaiya wrote on X.
The controversy follows Khan’s participation in an October 10 demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Khan attended the protest alongside his partner, actress Lekha Washington, and his cousin, Zayne Marie Khan. All three were briefly detained by police before being released several hours later.
Following the demonstration, Somaiya filed a complaint with Mumbai Police, accusing Khan of participating in what he described as an illegal political agitation and violating the conditions governing his immigration status.
The BJP leader also sought restrictions on Khan’s ability to travel while police investigated the matter, expressing concern that the actor might leave the country before the investigation was completed.
Mumbai Police subsequently issued a notice directing Khan to leave India by October 28, citing his participation in the protest as an alleged violation of the Foreigners Act.
Khan, who is reportedly an American citizen, holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. The status allows eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin to live and work in India but does not grant them Indian citizenship or unrestricted political rights.
The notice and Somaiya’s allegations have brought attention to the restrictions governing political participation by foreign citizens residing in India.
Khan, the nephew of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, made his film debut in the 2008 romantic comedy “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na” and later appeared in films including “Delhi Belly.”
The allegations concerning Pakistani funding remain unverified, and the supplied report did not include a response from Khan or his representatives.
The actor has been directed to leave India by October 28, although the report did not indicate whether he plans to challenge the notice. (Source: IANS)
