Following the Pulwama Terrorist Attack, India-Pakistan Tensions Rise; Adnan Sami Targets Fawad Chaudhry. His Pakistani passport expired in 2015.
New Delhi: Tensions between India and Pakistan have been escalating recently. Amidst this, renowned Indian singer and musician Adnan Sami bly criticized Pakistan's former Information and Broadcasting Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, for questioning his citizenship. This controversy arose after Chaudhry commented on Sami's Indian citizenship on social media, sparking a debate that has garnered global attention.
Sami's Response to Chaudhry's Tweet
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain recently shared a tweet by an Indian journalist, adding, "What about Adnan Sami?" This tweet questioned Sami's Indian citizenship. He shared this tweet alongside a post detailing the Indian government's instructions for Pakistani citizens to leave India.
In response, Adnan Sami tweeted, "Who will tell this illiterate fool?!" He sharply countered Chaudhry's jibe, clarifying the events from his arrival in India to obtaining citizenship.
Controversy Surrounding Adnan Sami's Citizenship
Adnan Sami was born in London but is of Pakistani origin. After arriving in India in 2001, he established himself in the Indian music industry. His Pakistani passport expired in 2015, and the Pakistani government did not renew it. Sami then appealed to the Indian government to regularize his visa status, which was granted, leading to his Indian citizenship in 2016.
Sami clarifies that his family's roots are in Peshawar, not Lahore. His father was a veteran diplomat in the Pakistani Air Force, and his mother was originally from Jammu and Kashmir.
Sami's Tweet on the Pulwama Terrorist Attack
Following the recent terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, Sami tweeted, "Innocent lives full of hope and promise brutally extinguished, leaving behind tears, shattered dreams, and unbearable grief. How can humanity sink to such depths?"
This tweet conveyed his deep condolences for the victims and bly condemned such acts of terrorism that inflict pain on humanity.
Criticism of Questioning Citizenship
Sami explained that Chaudhry's questioning of his citizenship was an attempt to portray him as Pakistani. Sami clarified his family's roots were in Peshawar, not Lahore, adding that his father was a senior officer in the Pakistani Air Force and his mother was from Jammu and Kashmir.
Sami emphasized the importance of understanding someone's identity, history, and context before commenting on them. He asserted that citizenship is not merely a document but is linked to loyalty and respect for the nation.
Sami's Journey After Obtaining Indian Citizenship
Adnan Sami was granted a one-year visitor visa to India on March 13, 2001, by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. His visa was subsequently renewed several times. Due to the non-renewal of his Pakistani passport, he appealed to remain in India on humanitarian grounds, which the Indian government accepted. He was granted Indian citizenship in December 2015.
Sami has made a significant mark on the Indian music industry, delivering numerous hit songs such as 'Kabhi To Nazar Milao,' 'Tera Chehra,' 'Lift Kara De,' and 'Bhar Do Jholi.' His musical journey has become a significant chapter in Indian cinema.
