New Delhi: Just as India was celebrating the historical win of ‘Naatu Naatu’ at the Golden Globes 2023, Andhra Pradesh’s CM and Singer Adnan Sami reignited the centuries-old debate of national vs state pride.
It all started when Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy tweeted to congratulate team RRR for winning the best original song accord with Naatu Naatu at the Golden Globes 2023
The #Telugu flag is flying high! On behalf of all of #AndhraPradesh, I congratulate @mmkeeravaani, @ssrajamouli, @tarak9999, @AlwaysRamCharan and the entire team of @RRRMovie. We are incredibly proud of you! #GoldenGlobes2023 https://t.co/C5f9TogmSY
— YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) January 11, 2023
Singer Adnan took some offense at the ‘Telugu Flag’ comment and quoted his tweet saying that we are Indian first and this ‘separatist’ attitude is really unhealthy.’
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!?? https://t.co/rE7Ilmcdzb— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) January 11, 2023
What followed this interaction was a series of tweets from Ministers and netizens joining hands to defend YS Reddy’s comment. Adnan however didn’t hold back and kept tweeting over and over to make his stance clear.
Whilst exhibiting pride of Origin, it is not beneath the dignity of a senior statesman such as a Chief Minister to share the pride of this achievement with his Nation INDIA which this State comes under & in the name of which this Telugu film is being recognised abroad! https://t.co/Oj5NydOsf3
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) January 11, 2023
Many users also resonated with Adnan’s comment and asked YS Reddy to show the Telugu flag if there is one.
Adnan Sami referenced Mamata Banerjee’s tweet from May 2021 paying tribute to Satyajit Ray by saying ” He is not only the pride of Bengal but also India.”
But look how beautifully she mentioned India as well- THATS THE POINT!! https://t.co/iiS6S0F54V
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) January 12, 2023
A user tweeted that while YS Reddy is born in India, Adnan is a ‘Pakistani Convert.’ To which, Sami replied by saying since being Indian didn’t “fall into his lap” he values it and never takes it for granted.
Those who are born into anything, they get it in their ‘lap’. They made no effort to get it…Those who convert to something, they first study it; educate themselves about it; believe in it, struggle for it & then achieve it- Then they VALUE IT & Never take it for granted!! https://t.co/oK61D8pxUG
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) January 11, 2023
Many people called out Adnan for keeping mum when the Hindi language overshadows regional languages.
Sami cleared himself saying such comments imply that Indian Flag only represents Hindi.
The singer also appreciated Malayalam actor Mammootty for using the word “Indian Cinema” in his congratulatory tweet to team RRR.
THIS!!!???? https://t.co/wmPKTVxrGq
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) January 11, 2023
