Veteran actors Raza Murad and Gajendra Chauhan have reacted to the row around actor Imran Khan, who has been asked to leave India by October 28 after joining a protest in Mumbai. Both actors told ANI that a foreign national should not get involved in the country’s internal matters and that the law must be followed.
Raza Murad backs the police action against Imran Khan
Raza Murad said Mumbai Police was acting within the law and that outsiders have no reason to step into India’s internal matters. He said, “Whether it is Imran Khan or any other foreign national, there is no reason to interfere in the internal affairs of our country. Now I have come to know that Imran Khan has become a US national and he was an actor here. So, as a US national, he has no right to intervene in the internal affairs of our country.”He also pointed out that Imran has not been asked to go immediately.“Mumbai Police is doing this in the framework of the law. And he has not been told to leave the country tomorrow or in 24 hours. He has been given 15 days,” the veteran actor said.Raza Murad added that if Imran feels the decision is unfair, he can go to court, and the verdict should be respected whatever the outcome. He said, “If he feels that he is being forced out of the country, then he can approach the court.”
Gajendra Chauhan says violation should be punished
Actor Gajendra Chauhan also reacted strongly. He said Imran Khan, as an American citizen, should not have taken part in the protest. According to him, people living in India on an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card face certain restrictions, and any breach should invite action.He said, “He is an American citizen, and he was living here. I don’t think he should have gone to protest because it is against the law. If someone lives on an OCI card in India, he cannot fight the elections, cannot vote, and cannot protest. So, if he has done it, definitely he should be punished.”Gajendra Chauhan also questioned the time given to Imran to leave and suggested that the authorities should act faster. He said he was disappointed that Imran joined the protest despite the fame, money and love he had received in India.He said, “You have been such a big celebrity in India. You have earned a name, earned money, earned a position. Indians used to love you. Despite that, you go to such a protest, which is against the residential values on which you are living in India. It is a violation of the law. And when there is a violation of the law, then the punishment will be there.”
Why Imran Khan was asked to leave India
Imran Khan, nephew of Aamir Khan, was given a ‘Leave India’ notice by Mumbai Police, directing him to leave the country by October 28. As per reports, he holds an American passport.He had taken part in a protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan, which demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The developments have drawn reactions from several members of the film fraternity.
