Dhruv Rathee Shows Passport, Says ‘I Am an Indian Citizen’

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has drawn attention after reportedly showing his passport and asserting that he is an Indian citizen. The development comes amid a public debate over his nationality and immigration status following his participation in protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The controversy intensified after former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao approached the Union Home Ministry on October 9, requesting verification of Rathee’s citizenship, passport and immigration status. The request followed Rathee’s participation in an anti-SIR protest in Bengaluru on October 8, where he joined other public figures in criticising the electoral roll revision process.

On October 10, Rathee was detained by police at his Gurugram residence ahead of a planned protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). He was later released. The incident triggered further discussion on social media, with questions being raised about the reasons behind his detention and the scrutiny of his citizenship status.

However, a request to verify someone’s citizenship or visa status does not establish that any law has been violated. As of the latest available reports, no official finding confirming an immigration violation by Rathee has been reported. The issue has become a major talking point amid the wider controversy surrounding the anti-SIR protests.