What has my father got to do with my Padma Shri, asks Adnan Sami

Pakistani-origin musician Adnan Sami, who is at the centre of a political debate over his Padma Shri award, on Thursday said his name was unnecessarily dragged into the controversy by "minor politicians" trying to gain mileage.

Sami, who became an Indian citizen in 2016 and had expressed his "infinite gratitude" at being chosen for the government award, said he shared good relationships with people across political spectrum.

"The people who are criticising are some minor politicians. They are doing it because of some political agenda that they have and it has nothing to do with me. I am not a politician, I am a musician.

"They have their own political agenda and issues with the government and they are using my name as another stepney to try and further their agenda," he told PTI.

The 46-year-old composer-singer was recently involved in an unseemly Twitter spat with Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill.

His father's past as a Pakistani Air Force pilot has also drawn criticism but Sami finds this argument "irrelevant".

"My father was a decorated fighter pilot and he was a professional soldier. He did his duty for his country. I respect him for that. It was his life. He got awarded for that. I did not benefit or credit from that. Similarly he cannot get credit for what I do. What is my award got to do with my father? It is irrelevant."