Raj Thackeray's MNS opposes Padma Shri to Pak-born Adnan Sami

Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on Saturday objected to Centre bestowing Padma Shri on singer-musician Adnan Sami, claiming he was t an "original Indian citizen". Sami was one of 118 people whose names were anunced on Saturday for Padma Shri awards, with Ministry of Home Affairs list showing his home state as Maharashtra.

Sami was granted Indian citizenship with effect from January 1, 2016 after his Pakistani passport expired on May 26, 2015 and was t renewed re. Sami, born in Lahore in Pakistan, first arrived in India on a one-year visitor's visa on March 13, 2001. He was granted Indian citizenship after he requested Centre to legalise his status on humanitarian grounds. In a tweet late Saturday evening, Amey Khopkar, president of MNS's cinema wing, said,

"Sami is t an original Indian citizen. MNS is of view that he should t be given any award. We condemn decision to hour him with padmashri and demand decision be withdrawn."

Incidentally, during a party convention in Goregaon in metropolis on January 23, Thackeray had dropped hints that he was planning to take up cause of Hindutva to expand MNS' base after a series of electoral setbacks since 2014.