Adnan Sami to get Indian citizenship even as Mahira, Fawad face ban

Singer Adnan Sami, who was allowed in May to stay indefinitely in India following non-renewal of his Pakistani passport, is likely to be granted Indian citizenship.

His request for Indian citizenship on the grounds that he has renounced his Pakistani citizenship, making India, where he has been staying for a decade-and-a-half, his home, has been endorsed by the attorney general of India and the Union home ministry is mulling granting him 'citizenship by naturalization' in view of his 'distinguished service to the cause of art' reports MidDay.

This move comes in the backdrop of several violent protests against Pakistani artists performing in Mumbai by Shiv Sena, a junior partner in a ruling coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Maharashtra state government, India.

'Emirates 24|7' has earlier reported, senior Shiv Sena leaders strongly opposing Pakistani actors working in Mumbai.

The party vows to disrupt Mahira Khan ('Raees') and Fawad Khan ('Ae Dil Hai Mushkil') promoting their film in Maharashtra of which Mumbai is the capital city.

Fawad, who made his Bollywood debut with the 2014 film 'Khoobsurat', has more Hindi films in his kitty including Dharma Productions' 'Kapoor & Sons' along with 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'.

On the other hand, Mahira is set to make her Bollywood debut with 'Raees'

Pakistani singer Atif Aslam's concert in Hadapsar, Pune scheduled for April 25 was also cancelled after strong opposition from the Shiv Sena.

Pakistani umpire Dar who was officiating one-day cricket series between India and South Africa was also called back from the tour by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Now that Sami is likely to be granted citizenship and continue to work from Mumbai it is viewed as 'double standard' attitude of the govt of India.

Rationalists find it hard to understand how these far-right activists do not allow Pakistani cricketers to play, artists to perform on stage and movies but are ready to extend citizenship to a Pakistani national.

Mr Sami, who has a Pakistani passport, had arrived in India in 2001 and between 2001 and 2013, visited the UK and several other countries.

Lahore-born singer also applied for the citizenship couple of times.

His Pakistani passport issued on May 27, 2010 expired on May 26, 2015 and his passport was not renewed by the Pakistan government which forced him to approach the Indian government with the request to legalise his stay in India on humanitarian grounds.

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