Actor Imran Khan Detained in Mumbai as Protests Against CEC Intensify

Actor Imran Khan was detained by Mumbai Police on October 10 while participating in a demonstration at August Kranti Maidan. The protest was part of a broader movement opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with participants demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the process. Following his detention, Khan shared a photograph from inside a police van on social media with the caption, “Apparently I'm going for a drive.”The incident occurred as demonstrations expanded across the country, leading to widespread police action. In Delhi, authorities denied permission for a gathering at Jantar Mantar, citing public order concerns. This resulted in significant security restrictions, including the suspension of mobile internet services, the closure of Metro stations, and the deployment of paramilitary forces. According to reporting, over 2,000 people were detained in the capital as part of the security operation.The police response drew immediate criticism from several prominent figures in the film industry. Actor Prakash Raj publicly condemned the detentions and called for the revision exercise to be scrapped, while filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and singer-composer Vishal Dadlani expressed support for the protesters through social media. Other personalities, including Richa Chadha, Shirish Kunder, and Vikramaditya Motwane, also used their platforms to criticise the crackdown and express solidarity.The Election Commission has defended the SIR as a standard verification exercise, though critics continue to raise concerns regarding the implementation and potential impact on voter lists. Organisers of the protest, including CJP co-convenor Saurav Das, stated that the agitation would continue until their demands for an inquiry into the revision process and official accountability are met. The recent developments follow an earlier demonstration at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2, which was attended by veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah.