New Delhi : Pakistan-born singer Adnan Sami got Indian citizenship, calling it a “new birth” and a “beautiful gift”, as he waded into the intolerance debate, saying there is no such trend in the country. A smiling Adnan, 46, received the citizenship certificate from Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju at North Block here in the presence of his wife Roya after which he sang his famous song–“Teri oonchi shaan hai maula…Mujhko bhi to lift kara de”. “A New Beginning… A New Feeling… A New Belonging… A New Love Affair… A New Country… JAI HIND!!!,” said Adnan, who has made India as his second home for the past few years, in a series of tweets shortly after getting the certificate.
Asked about concerns expressed by actors Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan over the climate of intolerance in India, he said everyone was entitled to his or her own opinion and their remarks were perhaps based on their own experience. “Had there been intolerance, I would not have taken Indian citizenship. I have never experienced intolerance. There is no intolerance in India,” he said.
The singer said he was very happy after becoming Indian citizen and grateful to the government. “I am grateful to the government of India for giving me this beautiful gift,” he said.
Home Ministry officials said Sami has been given Indian citizenship following his request to the Centre to legalise his status in the country on humanitarian grounds.
The singer had made a representation to the Home Ministry on May 26 this year requesting that he be allowed to stay in India on
humanitarian grounds. 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. — PTI