MNS raises strong objection against conferring Padma Shri to Pak-born singer Adnan Sami

Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Narniman Sena (MNS) lashed out at Narendra Modi government for giving Padma Shri award to Pakistan-born singer Adnan Sami. 

This has sparked a huge outrage among opposition parties. MNS has raised strong objection over centre’s conferring the Padma Shri to Adnan Sami saying that he was not an “original Indian citizen”. 

The Padma Shri was granted to 118 people and the names were announced on Saturday. The list possessed by the Ministry of Home Affairs revealed Sami’s home state to be Maharashtra. 

In a tweet, MNS’ cinema wing President Amey Khopkar said that Adnan Sami was not original Indian citizens and shouldn’t be given any award. 

"Sami is not an original Indian citizen and MNS strongly believes that he shouldn’t be given an award. We condemn the decision to honour him with Padma Shri and demand that this decision should be withdrawn,” Amey Khopkar tweeted. 

मूळ भारतीय नागरिक नसलेल्या अदनान सामीला भारत सरकारने कोणताही पुरस्कार देऊ नये,हे मनसे च ठाम मत आहे. त्यामुळे त्याला बहाल केलेल्या पद्मश्री पुरस्काराचा मनसेकडून तीव्र शब्दात निषेध. अदनान सामीला जाहीर झालेला पद्म पुरस्कार त्वरित रद्द करण्यात यावा ही मनसेची मागणी आहे.

— Ameya Khopkar (@MNSAmeyaKhopkar) January 25, 2020

After his Pakistani passport was expired on May 26, 2015, Singer Adnan Sami was granted Indian citizenship which came in effect from January 1, 2016. Sami’s Pakistani passport was not renewed. 

Born in Lahore, Sami is the son of former Pakistani Air Force fighter pilot. The singer first arrived in India on a one-year visitor’s visa on March 13, 2001. 

Congress has also opposed the decision of centre to grant Padma Shri to Adnan Sami. The party released a video which stated that Indian Army’s Mohammad Sanaullah who fought in Kargil against Pakistan was excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) which happened in Assam.

Also Read - Shiv Sena Wants Muslim Infiltrators From Pak, Bangladesh To Be Driven Out Of India

#adnansami पर BJP से ३ प्रश्न
1.पाक के खिलाफ लड़ने वाला भारत का सिपाही घुसपैठिया,और पाक वायुसेना के अफसर के बेटे को सम्मान?
2.#पद्मश्री के लिए समाज में योगदान जरुरी है या सरकार का गुणगान?
3. क्या Padmashri के लिए नया मानदंड है “करो सरकार की चमचागिरी मिलेगा तुमको #Padmashri”? pic.twitter.com/kktjyC5hlr

— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) January 26, 2020

On the other hand, Adnan Sami whose father was an officer in Pakistani Air force and fought against India has been granted Padma Shri. 

Here are the other notable personalities who have been conferred with Padma Shri award: George Fernandes, Arun Jaitley, Mary Kom, Sushma Swaraj, Kangana Ranaut, Ekta Kapoor among others.