Pak singer Adnan Sami is an Indian citizen now
From Friday, Bollywood singer Adnan Sami would be able to sing and perform as an Indian citizen, after facing years of protests and opposition for being a Pakistani performing in India.
From Friday, Bollywood singer Adnan Sami would be able to sing and perform as an Indian citizen, after facing years of protests and opposition for being a Pakistani performing in India.
Union home ministry has finally cleared his Indian citizenship which would be effective from January 1.
Read: People in Pakistan are burning my effigies, says Adnan Sami
Sami had renounced in his Pakistani citizenship, a move not appreciated in the neighbouring country and with his Indian citizenship in limbo, the singer became a stateless person. But Sami said later he had found a home in India.
He also faced attacks from fellow Bollywood singers and fringe Hindutva elements for being a Pakistani as well.
Lahore-born Sami had first arrived in India on March 13, 2001 on a visitor’s visa with the validity of one year which was issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Songs like ‘Kabhi toh nazar milao’ and’ lift kara de’ made Sami household name in India.
His visa was extended from time to time. His Pakistani passport issued on May 27, 2010 expired on May 26, 2015 and his passport was not renewed by the Pakistan government which led him to approach the Indian government with the request to legalise his stay in India on humanitarian grounds.
Earlier this year, the ministry had allowed Sami to stay in India for indefinite period and he was exempted from deportation proceedings.
Read: If India was intolerant, would I have sought citizenship, asks Adnan Sami
The ministry also sought legal opinion from the Attorney General as there was matrimonial civil case pending against Sami. After the favourbale opinion from the AG, the ministry cleared his citizenship.
Watch Bhar Do Jholi Meri
His citizenship has been cleared by way of naturalisation because of distinguished services to cause of art.
Recently, when he had sang Bhar do Jholi meri ya Muhammad, for the film Bajrangi Bhaijan, little did he know that his wishes would be fulfilled so quickly.
According to home ministry sources Sami also visited Union home ministry many times to push his case.
Watch: Bhar de jholi from Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Follow @htshowbiz for more.
Get more updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.