Lahore-born Sami first arrived in India on March 13, 2001 on a one-year visitor's visa issued by the Indian high commission in Islamabad. (Photo courtesy: www.dunyaurdu.com)

Pakistani singer Adnan Sami, who has been staying in the country since 2001, is likely to be granted Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.

Sami's request for Indian citizenship comes against the backdrop of Shiv Sena's strong opposition to performance by ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali and ink attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni hours ahead of the launch of a book written by former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri.



The Bollywood singer's request for Indian citizenship on the grounds that he has renounced his Pakistani citizenship and made India his home, has been endorsed by the Attorney General of India. The Ministry of Home Affairs is also mulling granting him citizenship by naturalization in view of his distinguished service to the cause of art.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on August 5, 2015, conveyed to Lok Sabha that Sami was exempted from deportation proceedings under Section 3 of the Foreigners Act and allowed to stay in India for an indefinite period following his appeal to legalise his stay in India on humanitarian grounds after his Pakistani passport expired in May due to its non-renewal.

Sami had approached Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking relief from deportation after Pakistani authorities refused to renew his passport in May over marital dispute with his second wife, Sabah Galadari, a UAE citizen. The couple divorced in 2012, and Sami is now married to Roya Faryabi, his third wife.

"In pursuance of the powers conferred under Section 3A of Foreigners Act, 1946 (31 of 1946), the central government...declares...that he (Adnan Sami Khan, son of late Arshad Sami Khan) is exempted from deportation proceedings. This order shall remain valid until further orders," said a home ministry order tabled in the Lok Sabha in August.

The citizenship for the Lahore-born singer, if approved, will come in the backdrop of Shiv Sena's strong opposition to performances by Pakistani artists.

Section 6 of the Citizenship Act allows an applicant to be granted a certificate of naturalization if the central government is satisfied that he/she is qualified for the same under the provisions of the Third Schedule. However, the conditions specified in the Third Schedule may be waived if the central government is of the opinion that the applicant has rendered distinguished service to the cause of science, philosophy, art, literature, world peace or human progress generally.

Lahore-born Sami first arrived in India on March 13, 2001 on a one-year visitor's visa issued by the Indian high commission in Islamabad.