Kannada actor Chetan’s OCI card cancelled days after his anti-Hindu rant

The Central government on Saturday cancelled Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card of Kannada actor Chetan Kumar, popularly known as Chetan Ahimsa over his alleged involvement in anti-national activities.

Taking to micro-blogging platform Twitter, the actor wrote that his OCI card was cancelled on April 14, the day when the country celebrated Dr BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary.

According to a report by The News Minute, the actor, who is also a Dalit and tribal activist, received a letter from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on April 14. The letter dated March 28 asked Chetan to return the OCI card in 15 days.

''FRRO issued a show-cause notice to the actor in June 2022 after he had made an objectionable tweet against a Karnataka High Court judge hearing the Hijab case and 'committed anti-national activities', the report further said.

He was also asked for an explanation on why he should continue possessing the OCI card. The actor replied that he lived in India for several years, was involved in social work and films and married an Indian citizen, The News Minute noted.

However, the Union Home Ministry deemed his reply to be 'unsatisfactory' and decided to cancel his OCI.

This came a month after the actor was arrested on February 20 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments as his tweeted stating Hindutva is 'built on lies' went viral on various social media platforms.

As the government cancelled his Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), the actor has now sought a stay from a court for 15 days.

Chetan, is a US citizen and is based out of Chicago. He got his OCI card in 2018.

In his tweet on March 20, the actor tweeted, "Hindutva is built on LIES.
Savarkar: Indian 'nation' began when Rama defeated Ravana & returned to Ayodhya -> a lie
1992: Babri Masjid is 'birthplace of Rama' -> a lie
2023: Urigowda-Nanjegowda are 'killers' of Tipu-> a lie
Hindutva can be defeated by TRUTH-> truth is EQUALITY".

The actor was arrested a day later by the Bengaluru police following a complaint by a member ofBajrang Dal outfit and was released on March 23.