Those opposing Padma Shri to Adnan Sami are not aware of Indian Law: Ram Vilas Paswan

Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday came in support of Bollywood singer Adnan Sami who have been awarded Padma Shri by the government.
Questions have been raised by opposition over awarding Padma Shri to Adnan Sami as his father was an army officer in Pakistan. Sami was granted Indian citizenship in 2016 by the NDA government.

“As per law Indian Citizenship has no relation with religion. Anyone who fulfills the requisite conditions of Citizenship Act can become Indian Citizen,” Paswan told ET. “After completing all the formalities he was granted Indian Citizenship in 2016. He has elevated India’s repute and honour through his talent. I congratulate him for being honoured with Padma Shri.”

Paswan further said that there is no change in the Indian Citizenship Act which was made in 1955 to grant citizenship to any person who fulfills the conditions given in the law. He said that the current CAA has nothing to do with the existing law and it is a separate law to give citizenship for persecuted minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

He further said that when PM Modi has clarified that there is no talk of NRC at the moment, the opposition parties are unnecessary making it an issue.

“Also the NPR and NRC are not related at all. In NPR I myself had raised an issue about mentioning the date of birth of parents. There are several people like me who don’t know the actual date of birth of their parents. Now the government has made it optional and there is no documentary evidence required for the same,” he said.