Bidri craftsman Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri, who received a Padma Shri award, thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating he was wrong to believe the BJP government would not reward a Muslim. His comments sparked controversy and were called “tutored” by Congress MP Pramod Tiwari.

Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri, a Karnataka bidri craftsman who received the Padma Shri award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 March, has thanked Modi for proving him wrong about what he thought of BJP government motivating a Muslim. Some have speculated that Quadri was “tutored” to make the statement ahead of the Karnataka assembly election, which is due on 10 May. Quadri has denied this, saying he “told him what was in my heart”. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari suggested the statement was “tutored”, while BJP spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, criticised him for insulting Karnataka and Padma awardees.