Opposition targets government over Padma Shri to Adnan Sami, BJP stands in defence

17:56 January 27

Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan

Adnan Sami enhanced India's stature with his talent: Paswan

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday backed the government's decision to confer Padma Shri award on singer Adnan Sami, saying he has enhanced India's stature with his talent.

Hitting out at the criticism of the decision, the Lok Janshakti Party leader said, " After completing all the formalities, he was granted Indian citizenship in 2016. He has elevated India's reputation and pride through his talent. I congratulate him on being honoured with Padma Shri."

"Those who are opposing the award to the famous singer are not aware of Indian Citizenship Law. Indian citizenship has no relation to religion. Anyone who fulfils the requisite conditions of the citizenship act can become Indian Citizen," Paswan said.

17:39 January 27

Adnan Sami is a citizen of India: BJP spokesperson

Denying all accusations from the opposition, the BJP has said that Adnan Sami is a deserving candidate for the Padma Shri.

BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain asserted that "Once a person gets the citizenship of a country, he becomes the citizen of that country."

Hussain accused the Congress of trying to divide the country in the name of religion. 

17:21 January 27

Digvijaya Singh congratulates Sami for being honoured with the Padma Shri

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh hailed Sami being honoured with the Padma Shri.

"Congratulations to all Padma Awardees. I am very happy that Adnan Sami famous singer and musician and Pakistani Muslim immigrant has also been given Padma Shri," Singh tweeted.

"I had also recommended his case to GOI (government of India) for giving him Indian Citizenship. He was given Indian Citizenship by Modi Govt," he said.

"The Indian government had full rights to give citizenship to anyone from any religion who sought Indian Citizenship, then why CAB/CAA? Just to polarise Indian Polity further. What would GOI do now if any Muslim of Eminence if prosecuted in Pak Afghanistan or Bangladesh seeks Indian Citizenship?" Singh said. 

17:18 January 27

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill

'Magic of govt chamchagiri': Cong on Padma Shri to Adnan Sami

Hitting out at the Modi government over singer-musician Adnan Sami receiving the Padma Shri award, Congress asked why Kargil War veteran Mohmmad Sannaullah was declared a foreigner through the NRC for Assam, while the son of a Pakistan Air Force pilot has been conferred with one of India's highest civilian honour.

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said, "Kargil War veteran and retired army officer Mohammad Sanaullah who fought for India declared 'foreigner' after NRC and Adnan Sami whose family fought against India honoured with Padma Shri -- This is the magic of NRC and government chamchagiri!"

He also posed questions to the government over the issue, asking why an Indian soldier like Sannaullah is declared a foreigner via the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam and the son a of Pakistan Air Force pilot is given the Padma Shri.

"Is contribution 'Yogdan' to society or BJP government 'gungan' (praise) new criteria? Is this New India? Shergill asked.

17:10 January 27

Padma Shri for Adnan Sami an insult to 130 cr Indians: NCP

Amid a row over Pakistani-origin singer Adnan Sami, who became an Indian citizen in 2016, being chosen for Padma Shri award, the NCP on Monday termed it as an 'insult' to the 130 crore Indians and a 'damage control' act by the NDA government 'facing questions' over the CAA, NRC and NPR.

In a dig, Maharashtra Minorities Development Minister and NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik also said that any Pakistani citizen can now avail Indian citizenship by chanting 'Jai
Modi'.

Sami, born in London to a Pakistani Air force veteran, applied for Indian citizenship in 2015 and became a citizen of the country in January 2016.

He was one of the 118 people whose names were announced on Saturday for the Padma Shri awards, with the Ministry of Home Affairs list showing his home state as
Maharashtra.

"If anyone from Pakistan chants 'Jai Modi', he can now get citizenship of India as well as a Padma Shri award. Selection of Sami for the award is a damage control exercise,"
said Malik.

The NCP leader later tweeted that many Indian Muslims deserved the honours conferred by the country.

"Conferring the prestigious #PadmaShri award to #AdnanSami is an insult to 130 Cr Indians. #NDA govt is trying to do damage control on the questions raised by Indians and people around the world on the issue of #CAA, #NRC and #NPR," he tweeted.

Malik said the selection of Sami was an act to 'cover up' the problems created by the government for the society in general.

"There are many Indian Muslims who deserve the honours conferred by our country. By giving #Padmashri to #Sami this current govt is trying to show that they are fair but in
reality this is just a cover up to the problems they have created for large sections of Indian society," he tweeted.

The Congress and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had already objected to Sami's selection for the prestigious award.

17:00 January 27

BJP counters Oppn criticism of Padma Shri to Adnan Sami, says he is 'highly deserving'

New Delhi:The BJP on Monday hit out at opposition parties over their criticism of the Modi government's decision to confer Padma Shri on singer Adnan Sami, wondering if they only like those Muslims who are 'against' Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India and its institutions.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra referred to the Opposition's criticism of the government for honouring Sami even though his father served in the Pakistan air force.

Countering the criticism, Patra raked up the alleged association of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's father with Italian dictator Mussolini and Germany's Hitler to ask why she was given Indian citizenship.

There was no immediate response from the Congress on the BJP's charge.

Patra asserted that Sami is 'highly deserving' and was given the Padma honour on merit.

He also referred to Sami's mother Naureen Khan's background as a resident of Jammu to target the Congress, asking if the party does not respect Muslim women from the region.

Read:| 'Magic of govt chamchagiri,' Congress questions Padma Award to Adnan Sami