No intolerance here, says newest Indian, Adnan Sami

New Delhi: Newly naturalised Indian citizen Adnan Sami yesterday expressed his gratitude to the government and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving his citizenship.

Also read: Singer Adnan Sami receives Indian citizenship certificate

Adnan Sami and MoS Kiren Rijiju show his Certificate of Indian Citizenship. Pic/PTI

"A New Beginning... A New Feeling... A New Belonging... A New Love Affair... A New Country... JAI HIND!!! My Profound thanks to Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for approving my Indian Citizenship. A New birth!" the singer tweeted. He also thanked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for his ‘tremendous' support. Earlier in the day, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju presented the certificate of naturalisation to Sami.

A screen grab of Adnan Sami's tweet after being granted Indian citizenship

When asked about concerns expressed by actors Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan about alleged growing intolerance in India, the singer 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. Sami had first arrived in India on March 13, 2001 on a visitor's visa. The Union Home Ministry was mulling over granting him a citizenship by naturalization in view of his distinguished contribution to Indian music. He was allowed to stay indefinitely in India in August, after the non-renewal of his Pakistani passport.