With rising tensions between the South Asian nuclear powers and increasingly nationalistic statements and claims being thrown from both sides, it was only inevitable that the artiste community would come under scrutiny. Previously, it was the open letter to Fawad Khan and asking him to return to Pakistan, then Karan Johar stepped up to support Fawad. However, after the alleged ‘surgical strike’ India claims to have conducted in Pakistan recently, celebrities in India have been showing their undying support for the Indian forces and their actions.
One of these ‘Indian’ celebrities to show support for the alleged surgical strike was Adnan Sami
Big Congratulations to @PMOIndia & our brave Armed forces for a brilliant, successful & mature strategic strike against #terrorism ! #Salute
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) September 29, 2016
Adnan Sami, a british born Pakistani origin musician, assumed Indian nationality on January 1, 2016 after he submitted a request to the Home Ministry of India to grant him a citizenship, on May 26, 2016 because his Pakistani passport had expired and the Pakistani government did not renew his passport. He had originally applied for an Indian citizenship in 2004.
As expected, Pakistanis did not like the statement
Especially coming from Khan whose father was a Pakistani diplomat and who lived most of his life here and got his career from Pakistan.
@kaneez_fatima_k @AdnanSamiLive @PMOIndia Adnan bhaii u were Pakistani :-)) & u better know the strength of Pak Army#PakistanZindabad
— Muzzamil Ali (@MuzzamilAli8) September 29, 2016
Adnan Sami is the Most Shameless Person I have ever Seen!
Namak Haram ?
Bc Loser! @AdnanSamiLive— Joweria Malik ♡ (@Joweria_Malik) September 30, 2016
@AdnanSamiLive you disgust me…this is a CLEAR statement of how inferior you considered yourself that you've resorted to such low shots…
— ♕ Maha ♕ (@cestmoiM) September 30, 2016
One person who responded to Adnan Sami with the most level headed response was Salman Ahmad
The Junoon band member and famous sufi musician Salman had this to say about Adnan’s statements:
Never thought I'd ever witness a musician become a warmonger & a spin doctor. Sad day for arts & culture. https://t.co/9nU31n1qNr
— salman ahmad (@sufisal) September 30, 2016
He questioned Adnan’s sanity for praising a violent action
Being the son of a Pakistani ambassador should've told you that no one wins a war between nuclear states. https://t.co/ydhdhRfDri
— salman ahmad (@sufisal) September 30, 2016
And he called Adnan out for his statement about Pakistan equating a ‘terrorist country’
According to ur twisted logic, your father too has served as a terrorist ambassador. Have u disowned ur parents too? https://t.co/ydhdhRfDri
— salman ahmad (@sufisal) September 30, 2016
What is interesting to note is, that he did all this with a very civilized choice of words. Instead of stooping to the same low levels as of those who one doesn’t agree with, a more civilized, even if it is stern, is a more appropriate way to go about.
However, despite everything. War IS NOT and SHOULD NOT be the answer, even as a last resort. Celebrities, being role models for so many people have an extra duty to not give in to warmongering and hatred. Here’s to peace.