As parties across the spectrum debated his contribution to India, Sami, who became an Indian citizen in 2016 and on Sunday expressed his “infinite gratitude” at being chosen for the Government award, did not mince his words in hitting out at his critics.
The 46-year-old, who has carved out a career in Hindi film music as a composer and a singer, was part of an unseemly Twitter spat with Congress pokesperson Jaiveer Shergill and also many political discussions, ranging from the controversy over the Citizenship Amendment Act to his father’s past as a Pakistani Air Force pilot. Taking umbrage at Shergill’s statement that his recognition was due to his sycophancy, an irate Sami said on Twitter, “Hey kid, did you get your brain from a ‘Clearance Sale’ or from a second hand novelty store? Did they teach you in Berkeley that a son is to be held accountable or penalised for the acts of his parents?”Interestingly, the Congress is divided on the issue with senior leader Digvijay Singh welcoming the honour to Sami.