Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh ministers Gudivada Amarnath and Vidadala Rajini, apart from ruling YSR Congress leaders, are up in arms against singer Adnan Sami after the latter criticised Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for putting out a message that RRR bagging the Golden Globe Award has ensured that the Telugu flag flies high.
Adnan Sami objected to the comment saying the statement Telugu flag is flying high indicates a separatist attitude.
Industries minister Amarnath told Adnan Sami: "We are proud of our language, our culture and our identity. And I proclaim again, ‘We are Telugu’. @AdnanSamiLive, you are no one to pass judgement on our patriotism."
Amarnath further tweeted "My pride in being Telugu does not take away my identity as an Indian."
Health minister Rajini, taking to Twitter, said, “Taking pride in one’s own identity doesn’t allay their patriotism. Respecting one’s origin doesn’t convey separatism. Let’s not confuse both. Rather than overthinking on Twitter, maybe you should work towards getting India another #GoldenGlobe @AdnanSamiLive”.
Adnan Sami had become an Indian citizen in 2016. On Jagan’s congratulatory message on RRR, Adnan stated:
"Telugu flag? You mean INDIAN flag right? We are Indians first & so kindly stop separating yourself from the rest of the country. Especially internationally, we are one country! This 'separatist' attitude is highly unhealthy as we saw in 1947!!! Thank you Jai HIND," wrote Sami.
However, the singer drew flak for his remark from many Twitter users, who defended the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister. They reminded the singer that being a proud Telugu does not make one a less Indian.
