MHA cancels Kannada actor-activist Chetan Ahimsa's OCI status

The Union Home Ministry has cancelled the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card issued to Kannada actor Chetan A Kumar for "anti-India activities".

The notice, issued by Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and accessed by DH, said that Chetan had promoted ill-will and hatred among the public.

The move was slammed by the actor, saying the government is trying to instill fear in those who were against its ideology. Chetan's most recent brush with law came in March when he was arrested for his remarks on Hindutva.

"It has been brought to the notice of the central government that Chetan A Kumar is involved in many unlawful activities such as making derogatory, insulting and objectionable remarks against public institutions, promoting ill-will, hatred and disharmony against a particular community," the notice read.

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"He violated Covid guidelines issued by the Government of Karnataka and posted derogatory remarks on Twitter about the honourable judges of the Karnataka High Court.”

Speaking to DH, Chetan said the central government is trying to instill fear among those speaking against its ideology. “This move is against democracy and the government is only trying to silence anyone speaking against them,” he said. He received the notice on April 14.

Before serving a cancellation notice, Chetan was served a show cause notice in June 2022. However, his response was deemed "not satisfactory".

Chetan, who has been given 15 days to return the card, is in the process of filing a writ petition with the Karnataka High Court to get a stay against the notice.

Though Chetan is a US citizen, he was granted an OCI, allowing him to stay in India indefinitely.

Chetan has been in the news several times for his views on governments' policies and announcements. There are multiple FIRs filed against the actor at Basavanagudi and Cubbon Park police stations.