Actor Imran Khan on Monday tendered an unconditional apology before the Bombay High Court for participating in a protest against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, assuring the court that he would not take part in similar demonstrations in the future.
The 42-year-old actor, who was detained on October 10 during the protest in Mumbai and received a ‘Leave India Notice’said he had no links with the organisers and was unaware of the consequences of participating in the demonstration.
“I shall not participate in any protest in the future, nor shall I directly or indirectly influence or instigate others to participate in any such protest,” Khan submitted, adding that he has the “utmost love and respect for this great nation and its Constitution.”
The apology came after a bench of the High Court strongly reprimanded Khan, reminding him that he was an American citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card and had no right to participate in political demonstrations as an Indian citizen. The bench questioned his right to participate in such demonstrations, drawing a parallel with how an Indian national would be treated if they took part in a protest in the United States.
“You are an OCI card holder. You can’t behave like an Indian citizen. You have nothing to say about SIR. You had no right to participate. You have to give a categorical undertaking to the court,” the bench told Khan.
When senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for Khan, submitted that the actor had spent his entire life in India and acquired US citizenship by birth, the court said his place of birth did not change his status as a foreign national.
“Imagine if an Indian citizen does such protests in any other country, take, for example, your country – the US. That Indian citizen would have been sent back to the country on the next immediate flight,” the court observed.
The bench also questioned why Khan had not sought Indian citizenship despite growing up in the country and establishing himself as a Bollywood actor.
“Since your childhood you have been here. Why don’t you accept Indian citizenship? You have become a Bollywood star here,” it remarked.
Dhond told the court that Khan was born in the US, had earlier held a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card before obtaining OCI status in 2006, and had married and worked in India. He also submitted that the actor had been a novice and did not fully understand the consequences of his participation in the protest.
However, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), opposed Khan’s submissions, citing his social media posts and an interview as evidence of his involvement. Singh also alleged that the actor had participated in several protests in the past and made provocative statements, arguing that an apology could not absolve a foreign national of the allegations.
The bench cautioned Khan that his celebrity status and substantial social media following made his public statements consequential.
“You are a celebrity and what you say has consequences. See the magnanimity of this country. You are an OCI cardholder and all your recognition is from India, Maharashtra,” it observed.
APOLOGY NOT A ‘GREEN SIGNAL’, SAYS COURT
The court reiterated that OCI cardholders could not participate in political activities in the same manner as Indian citizens. It also said the apology and undertaking should not be construed as permission to engage in similar demonstrations.
“They are here at the mercy of the government. They can’t stay here and criticise. This cannot be accepted. The tendering of the apology is not a green signal,” the bench said.
While acknowledging the government’s authority to deport foreign nationals, the court said the circumstances surrounding Khan’s involvement in the protest would also have to be examined.
The observations came during the hearing of Khan’s petition challenging a Leave India Notice (LIN) issued by the FRRO, directing him to leave the country. The notice had been kept in abeyance by a bench of Chief Justice MC Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna last week.
Khan had received the Leave India Notice (LIN) issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), directing him to leave the country. The notice had been kept in abeyance by a bench of Chief Justice MC Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna last week.
The bench noted Khan’s unconditional apology and undertaking, while continuing to keep the Leave India Notice in abeyance. The matter has been posted for further hearing on December 7.
– Ends
Source: www.indiatoday.in
