Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has criticized the central government after actor Imran Khan, identified as an American citizen and Overseas Citizen of India cardholder, was ordered by authorities to leave the country. The directive from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office in Mumbai follows Khan's participation in an October 10 protest organized by the group in Mumbai against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Dipke took to social media to question the double standards of the administration, contrasting Khan's situation with American singer Mary Millben. In a public statement, Dipke argued that an American citizen is permitted to advocate for the Bharatiya Janata Party, whereas an OCI cardholder faces punitive measures for speaking out against the ruling party. He also called upon the Bollywood industry to defend one of its own.
The regulatory action against Khan stems from a formal complaint filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who maintained that the actor violated norms by joining a political demonstration at August Kranti Maidan despite holding a United States passport and an OCI status. A Mumbai police official confirmed that a notice was formally served to the actor, who resides in the Khar area of the city. The FRRO operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs to manage foreign nationals in the country.
During the October demonstration, Khan had stated in widely circulated video footage that he was attending simply as a private citizen to observe why public movement and freedom of expression were being restricted. The actor has not publicly responded to the departure notice.
Meanwhile, Millben had earlier criticized Dipke and his pressure group on social media, accusing them of receiving foreign funding from international donors aimed at destabilizing conservative leaders. Millben defended the prime minister's governance and warned against external attempts to instigate unrest in India. The underlying protests centered around demands for the resignation of the chief election commissioner over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision process.