Union minister Chirag Paswan argued, speaking to reporters on Sunday, that actor Imran Khan — who does not hold Indian citizenship — should have stayed away from protests related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which Paswan described as foreign-backed attempts to undermine the country's stability.
Speaking to journalists in Patna, Paswan also addressed Rahul Gandhi, who holds the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, pointing to Gandhi's decision to proceed with political events in Goa. Paswan set that decision against the response of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had cancelled all pre-arranged engagements in Kolkata after a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal claimed 19 lives.
Responding to questions about a directive ordering Khan — an Overseas Citizen of India card holder facing charges under the Foreigners' Act — to leave the country, the MP from Hajipur addressed the matter in parliament. Imran Khan filed a petition before the Bombay High Court challenging a Mumbai Police notice he described as having no legal standing, while the Foreigners Regional Registration Office separately served him with a show-cause notice.
A source indicated an appreciation for the actor and his body of work. Long-term employment within a country does not, on its own, confer citizenship upon a foreign national.
Paswan indicated he would not oppose peaceful assembly by residents of the area, but said the same action draws scrutiny when the individuals involved hold foreign citizenship. Speaking in his capacity as a member of the Union government, Paswan conveyed that he viewed efforts to destabilise the country — allegedly supported by outside powers — as a matter of concern.
Khan's family connection to Bollywood actor Aamir Khan runs through a direct blood tie; the two are related as uncle and nephew. Born in the United States and carrying American citizenship, Khan grew up in India and has spent more than ten years working within the film industry. The formal notice was delivered to Khan days after he appeared on stage at a Mumbai gathering where attendees pressed for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from office.
Paswan, who leads Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), conveyed condolences over the deaths in Kolkata and described Shah's decision to cancel his scheduled programmes in the city as a display of sensitivity. Paswan noted that Gandhi's upcoming campaign event in Goa — a state where assembly elections are expected within months — pointed to what he described as a contrast in where political leaders choose to direct their attention. Shah was described by Paswan as responding to the tragedy with empathy, while he characterised the opposition as prioritising political considerations over the matter.
