I will remain an Indian 'until the end', Sania tells BJP
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In a fiery retort to Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K Laxman's comments questioning Sania Mirza's Indian 'roots', the tennis star stated that those attempting to "brand her as an outsider were "petty."
Sparking a controversy, BJP leader K Laxman had earlier said the Indian tennis star was the 'daughter-in-law of Pakistan' and questioned her credentials to be appointed as the brand ambassador of India's new state Telangana, Indian media reported.
In a statement by Mirza after the uproar, the tennis ace said: "I am married to Mr. Shoaib Malik, who is from Pakistan. I am an Indian, who will remain an Indian until the end of my life."
"I was born in Mumbai as my mother needed to be at a specialist hospital since she was seriously unwell at the time of my birth. I came home to Hyderabad when I was 3 weeks old," she added.
The Congress termed the statement against the popular sportswoman as “bizarre”.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government had decided to appoint Mirza as ambassador of the newly-created state.
Elaborating on his statement to reporters, Laxman, who is the leader of the BJP in the Telangana legislative assembly, said Sania was born in Maharashtra and settled in Hyderabad only later, therefore, he said, she was a non-local.
He labelled her as the “daughter-in-law” of Pakistan referring to the fact that she was married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.
The BJP leader also said that the 27-year-old had never rallied for a separate state.
Laxman accused the government of taking the step with an eye on the minority community votes in the upcoming elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.
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On DawnNews
Comments (104) Closed
Jul 24, 2014 11:07am
There is nothing wrong in making Sania Mirza brand ambassador, as she is still Indian citizen, just married to a Pakistani, for which she has right to choose with whoever she wants to be.
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Jul 24, 2014 11:10am
A typical Indian mind set, her crime happens to be that she is a muslim and famous who happens to be married happily to a Pakistani.
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Jul 24, 2014 11:44am
She is still Indian citizen and doesn't even settle in Pakistan or holds a Pakistani Passport . If non-local case is to be considered , then How Mr.B became brand ambassador of Mr.Modi's Gujarat . These are non-issues for us .
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Jul 24, 2014 11:44am
If you marry a pakistani you become pakistani what is so difficult to understand? Like If you marry a US citizen you become US citizen. But when pakistan and religion comes into the picture it becomes different. It is injustice. It seems a certain community is perpetually seeking sympathy. What a pathetic mindset.
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Jul 24, 2014 12:01pm
@hope I would question your statement as I dont believe that this is typical Indian mindset. Certain individuals dominant in BJP might have this way of thinking.
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Jul 24, 2014 12:28pm
@hope
so what ? i am a Muslim myself but i appreciate BJP for this.
I think she should represent Pakistan instead. Its about Pakistan not about Religion she is Muslim by birth.
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Jul 24, 2014 12:36pm
@hope where does the happens to be a muslim angle come into picture?
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Jul 24, 2014 12:38pm
She is not daughter in law of Pakistan.
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Jul 24, 2014 12:50pm
She is not a Pakistani "daughter in-law".
This is all the creation of media. She is a good sportsperson, married to a Pakistani sportsperson. Nothing more.
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Jul 24, 2014 12:52pm
@Ayaz - Very thoughtful in stating the obvious!
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Jul 24, 2014 01:06pm
Sania may be married to a Pakistani sports star but she is Indian girl. This is sheer petty mindedness from BJP. She is a star and worth this role. Shame on you BJP MP. You are not worth being an MP in a democracy. The world is getting smaller and this MP's mind is also getting smaller. Sania has my support
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Jul 24, 2014 01:09pm
When the state is home to so many other famous sports personalities then why Sania?
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Jul 24, 2014 01:15pm
How come she became daughter-in-law of Pakistan ? Neither she stays there not holds their passport . She doesn't even play under Pakistan's banner .India has given her confidence and she plays under Indian banner . BJP could have found another way i.e. she is not as competent as Saina nehwal or M.Azarudin or VVS Laxman who are from Hyderabad also , which could have been acceptable .
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Jul 24, 2014 01:20pm
let me clear something here.
the context is missing here. The CM of telangana said that only people settled in telangana before 1956 are to be local telangana people and others dont have any relation to the state. this statement about sania was made in that context.
This controversy would not have arrived had Govt of Karnataka or Tamilnadu made Sania their brand ambassador.
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Jul 24, 2014 01:39pm
Bring an Indian, I feel ashamed of this statement by BJP member.
Getting married to an individual of any nationality is her personal decision. People to people contact regardless of which nationality they belong cannot be questioned.
The two countries can have their own differences, but for a member of the ruling party to make such a statement is absolutely shameful and disgusting.
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Jul 24, 2014 02:20pm
As an ambassador , they have no acces to secret information of any strategic policies, Why there is so much paic. I am not doubting her integrity.
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Jul 24, 2014 02:26pm
@sharabi
Must be tough being a muslim in India these days. More loyal than the king . May i say
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Jul 24, 2014 02:26pm
Sania keep your dignity as you always have. To the common Indian, you are worth more than a bus full of politicians. You have always made us proud whenever you have stepped on the court. These politicians have always made us ashamed whenever they open their mouths. Game, Set & Match to Super Sania.
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Jul 24, 2014 02:31pm
@hope Her husband is a lucky guy , who is happily married to a indian girl.
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Jul 24, 2014 02:40pm
Typical BJP, always trying to infuse insecurity into minorities minds.
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Jul 24, 2014 03:03pm
She is a below average tennis player, famous just because she comes from a backward country and plays on the international circuit and is married to an ex-Pakistan cricket captain. Leave the two in peace!
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Jul 24, 2014 03:06pm
@Exposer are u suggesting that one would be lucky to be happy and married to an Indian at the same time?
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Jul 24, 2014 03:10pm
Italy has not disowned Sonia Gandhi who got married to an Indian, this is their mind set while in India it is reverse, this is the Indian mind set. This is only because Sania Mirza is a Muslim. They don't like Dilip Kumar's birth place but they like Raj Kapoor's birth place again typical Indian mind set in motion
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Jul 24, 2014 03:12pm
First of all, sania was addressing a controversy raised by TD Party in a dispute between two newly formed states. It was more of a local politics between two parties. By writing BJP in the headlines, a further controversy is being raised here.
Second of all, yes, technically shr can become Pakistan citizen but in heart she may feel loyal to the place she was born. That goes to all migrats who acquire US citizenship. No matter what religion it is, when you migrate within a country or to another nation, love for the place we were raised do not go away. It is a natural and human feeling. Let's not bring politics into it.
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Jul 24, 2014 03:18pm
@skeptic I think it is being tough being Muslim. Muslims are target every where in the world. Even in Muslim countries....
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Jul 24, 2014 03:18pm
There is such a thing known as Group Therapy. In case of India they should quickly invent and implement a Nation's Therapy sessions.
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Jul 24, 2014 03:19pm
@hope
Tell me what is typical Pakistani and typical Islamic point of view?
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Jul 24, 2014 03:20pm
SANIA IS RIGHT THE POLITICAL LEADER WHO DOUBTS HER NATIONALITY IS TOO PEETT AND HAS NO RIGHT TO BE A POLITICIAN
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Jul 24, 2014 03:20pm
@skeptic
No Dear its very easy, Formula is: Just don't try to spread hatred filled Wahhabi Ideology & Terrorism and everyone will love you like a family, unlike Pakistan where people are being killed in the name of Shia, Ahamadia, Hindu, Christian etc.
Hence i am more than happy.
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Jul 24, 2014 03:35pm
@Exposer or she is a lucky girl.......
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Jul 24, 2014 03:38pm
By that logic , BJP should declare Mr.Advani as a Pakistani , a pakistani by born . We all hate this country , but that doesn't mean that you can label anyone in India as Pakistani . This is outrageous .
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Jul 24, 2014 03:42pm
@Masoud Yes when she is sending all money to Italy , they can never disown her
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Jul 24, 2014 03:43pm
@Exposer
She decided to make a Pakistani guy her husband making rest of Indians unlucky!
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Jul 24, 2014 03:50pm
The point is not that Sania is Muslim. The point is also not that she is married to a Pakistani.
She is born and brought up in Telangana, but does not live there ... She lives in Dubai, so how can she become a brand ambassador of that state ?
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Jul 24, 2014 04:17pm
This was the mentality which led to partition of India.
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Jul 24, 2014 04:30pm
So much hate being taught in India against Pakistan. An Indian married to a Pakistani and hindus question a muslim girl about her nationality. Laxman is from a country talanga
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Jul 24, 2014 04:30pm
@Raj I concur to Raj
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Jul 24, 2014 04:36pm
@skeptic - Skeptic .. No offence meant.All and not just Muslims are equally safe.
We have had President,Vice president, Ministeres, Chief Ministers.. company heads muslims and they are there in all walks of like. Not to forget bollywood,sports is filled with them.
How many examples do you have???? None.
Learn to expert please.
Pakistan where no one is safe but day in and day out so called mullah keeping provking people for atrocities for muslime in India,US,UK,Burma,Syria,Iraq,...... Phalana....Dhamaka.....Jhumri talaiyya......many others places which are not even existent.
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Jul 24, 2014 04:38pm
We are proud of you Sania! - Atish, Mumbai
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Jul 24, 2014 04:38pm
@Masoud -- Sorry dont agree.. get well soon mate
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Jul 24, 2014 04:40pm
@Javed . Its sexiest remark. Why cant Shohaib become Indian ?. Its a choice of both to remain nationals of their native countries.
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Jul 24, 2014 05:10pm
Some old crook from BJP in Telangana does not remember she has won many medal and tournaments for India and she is always Indian first. Media is as usual using this entire episode for its own, people from India are on Sania's side so time to ignore this old chap from BJP.
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Jul 24, 2014 06:29pm
Now you know why Pakistan was created? Those who wish to remain in denial can remain so at their own convenience.
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Jul 24, 2014 06:43pm
In India, there are 500plus MPs in the lower house of the parliament. The country has 1200 million people! So can't you understand th at one can find few idiot MPs out of this large numbers.!
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Jul 24, 2014 06:49pm
Difficult to change minds fill with hatred.
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Jul 24, 2014 07:34pm
Sania ........ Is the best .
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Jul 24, 2014 07:48pm
@Javed - contrary to your statement, one does not become a US citizen simply by marrying a US citizen. You have to apply for it and there is a long drawn out process involved for it to happen. Also, contrary to your implication, one may choose to keep their citizenship of birth and not become a US citizen. Which too happens often. Pls be conversant with the facts before putting them out.
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Jul 24, 2014 07:58pm
How is she Pakistan's daughter in law? She may be married to a Pakistani but that is it! She has never even settled it Pakistan, hold a Pakistani passport or played for Pakistan!
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Jul 24, 2014 08:00pm
Sania Mirza is as Indian as anyone born in India. Just being married to a Pakistani does not make her a Pakistani. She was born in India, played for India & is a citizen of no country other than India. Personally, I feel that there are many others who would be more eligible than Sania Mirza to be the brand ambassador of Telangana state but my opinion is based on achievements rather than religion or any other criteria.
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Jul 24, 2014 08:04pm
Twisted mentality. BJP will take India backwords.
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Jul 24, 2014 08:10pm
I hope all the educated liberal Indians who overwhelmingly voted for BJP are feeling proud on a daily basis.
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Jul 24, 2014 08:19pm
It's irritating how people start commenting without knowing facts.. The leader here is not an MP and such people want cheap publicity only.. This do not represent country or even their party's stand..
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Jul 24, 2014 08:37pm
@Bharat Mishra we have 2 former Army Chiefs who were born in what is today called "india" and they gave india a good thrashing during their tenures
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Jul 24, 2014 08:39pm
@hope well i guess you have lots of "unlucky" indians then considering the DROVES of indian women who run after Pakistani men to get married. Especially in Hyderabad and Gujrat.
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Jul 24, 2014 09:00pm
This is the fate of a young energetic Indian Muslim! Thats how her services to India have been endorsed.
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Jul 24, 2014 09:04pm
Just a basic question: Why Indian women prefer Pakistani men?
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Jul 24, 2014 09:16pm
Happy to see very positive comments by most of the Indians here. We should leave both Sania and Shoaib alone and let them live in peace. It is their life and they are fully entitled to live as they wish.
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Jul 24, 2014 09:55pm
BJP thinks every Muslim of India is outsider, that is they way they train their cadres.
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Jul 24, 2014 11:12pm
True colors of BJP
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Jul 24, 2014 11:13pm
@Javed - you do not automatically become a national of a country of your spouse. Please correct your facts.
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Jul 25, 2014 12:32am
Sania Mirza is very much an Indian and her Marriage does not alter this fact.As long as she does not take a Pakistani Passport,she remains a full fledged Indian Citizen.
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Jul 25, 2014 12:39am
@Bharat Mishra you had a good point there about Mr. Advani being born in Pakistan, but then unfortunately your hatred took the best of you. I get that you hate a country as a whole? Wow. Sorry for you.
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Jul 25, 2014 01:06am
@John: Now only if the MP would have come out with this argument, it would have been better. That would have been atleast debatable.
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Jul 25, 2014 01:09am
@Masoud: Birth place Masoud?? What kind of logic is that?? If it makes you happy, Shah rukh Khan was born in Delhi and we have that as our capital. Happy?
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Jul 25, 2014 01:13am
@Ali... Nice comment :) Though not true, it brought a smile to my face.. and am an Indian.
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Jul 25, 2014 01:34am
Sania is probably regretting leaving India. She was making good money, lots of endorsements and now nothing. NO one even knows her.
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Jul 25, 2014 01:34am
@Chanpeer No, thats not true. Many young and energetic muslims friends of mine are doing fairly well :) Even Amitabh Bachchan had his share of controversies. Would you say "thats the fate of a hindu in India"? :)
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Jul 25, 2014 01:47am
@sharabi Why cannot a woman retain her citizenship after her marriage with a foreigner? For that matter, why is not her husband an Indian, or a son-in-law of India? What you demonstrate is 19th century mindset.
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Jul 25, 2014 02:44am
Whenever there is some problem in India regarding Muslims, its common for Pakistani's to say see how worse off Indiam Muslims are and thats why they had to create Pakistan. Save it people ..
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Jul 25, 2014 02:57am
@skeptic The Indians are far more polarized today than they had ever been. And Muslims in India and Pakistan had a big role in this mess.
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Jul 25, 2014 02:59am
And her kids in future? will they be Pakistani or Indians?
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Jul 25, 2014 03:00am
@Sunil One person's opinion cannot be the whole party's opinion.
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Jul 25, 2014 03:31am
@Ravi Dallas TX
Actually by constantly baiting the minority th BJP shows its own INSECURITY against a 13% minority community.
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Jul 25, 2014 03:36am
@hope Please don't say 'Indian' mindset -- say Hindutva mindset.
Modi may have won overwhelmingly but 70% of the electorate did NOT vote for his communal brand of politics.
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Jul 25, 2014 04:32am
Indian leaders have not reconciled to creation of Pakistan although powerful Congress leaders are also responsible for the partition of India in 1947.
How can there be friendship between the two countries if politicians indulge in petty personal matters of their citizens.
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Jul 25, 2014 05:19am
It is time for a Pakistani fatwa!
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Jul 25, 2014 05:19am
To the so called Secular Indians: if Sania Mirza is pure indian BETI then why is there double standard for your Madam Sonia Gandhi ? with the same logic, Sonia Gandhi should be Italian BETI. am i right ?
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Jul 25, 2014 05:33am
As a matter of fact, who cares? She is Indian and no one is asking her to renounce her citizenship and take Pakistani citizenship. However, the crux of the matter is that she is married to a fine Pakistani cricketer. Indian politicians should refrain themselves from their solecism.
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Jul 25, 2014 05:53am
I think the BJP leader should have said that in the right tone. She is citizen (or perhaps eligible to citizenship) of a different country, There is not much wrong in his argument itself but more in the manner it has been said. "Pakistan ki Bahu" etc, was a lowly remark for Sania Mirza, who has made India proud.
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Jul 25, 2014 06:47am
who Laxman ?
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Jul 25, 2014 07:20am
We are very very proud of Sania. Her achievement in tennis has made India proud. And it's perfectly OK and honor that she married a great Pakistani cricket player. We love Sania not Sonia.
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Jul 25, 2014 08:18am
@Raj Indeed this is the mindset that we need on both sides of the border if we ever want to leave in peace and harmony. The choice would always be ours i.e. the junta!
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Jul 25, 2014 08:29am
Sania's grit to remain Indian even after marrying a Pakistani (against the tradition of Sub-continent) shows how a good place is India.
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Jul 25, 2014 11:09am
A very smart way to get media attention... Now that MP is everywhere in news... Nobody knew about this MP before...
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Jul 25, 2014 11:25am
See, a Indian muslim girl married to a Pakistani celebrity is still being ashamed of called pakistani and people of pakistan thinks Indian muslims will happily come to pakistan if given opportunity. So much for oppression of muslims in India!
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Jul 25, 2014 11:38am
@Ali Which developed country do you belong? If you do, your name suggests otherwise
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Jul 25, 2014 01:28pm
@David Just a basic question:
Why do Indian women choose to remain an 'Indian' even after marrying Pakistani men?
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Jul 25, 2014 01:29pm
Sania is proud daughter of India. She is independent and has her own independent mind. Despite marrying a Pakistani, she is a proud Indian. It is a commentary on secularist credentials of India.
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Jul 25, 2014 01:34pm
No matter what good is done by individuals
The political Mafia will always criticise it
I am in UK since 1959 but that does not mean Pakistan is not my country
I love Pakistan and hate exploitations by the likes of Qadri, Altaf and Imran
Nawaz is not my favourite but give him a chance. ZARDARI ruled for five years
and he was not even a PM
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Jul 25, 2014 01:47pm
@hope Who made her popular ? Its indian media otherwise she never win any title in Olympics like Saina Nehwal ? Do all muslims support her when she wear small skirts ? specially Pakistani
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Jul 25, 2014 01:57pm
@Javed Correction; marriage doesn't imply you become a citizen of the country your spouse is from. You are obviously expressing a dated male chauvinist view that the woman has to follow her husband. NOT JUSTIFIED OR TRUE. May be in our country but not in hers.
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Jul 25, 2014 02:20pm
If Amitabh can become brand ambassador of Gujarat then by not Sania who is hydrabadi in all respects.
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Jul 25, 2014 08:53pm
Being a Pakistani I don't care of her ordeal, since she has no respect for Pakistan.
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Jul 26, 2014 02:20am
Sania is pathfinder for the Indian subcontinent's young girls., who has shown courage to fight against social evil towards woman by playing tennis & told how we can live in harmony with so called enemy by marrying a Pkistani citizen.
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Jul 26, 2014 06:21am
Sania Mirza is as much an Indian as any of us.Her marriage to a Pakistani does not change the fact .Imran Khan Sahab was also married to an English Girl,and when it was time to separate,she went back to England with the baby.It is only she who can decide whether she wants to change Citizenship.There are Chauvinists on both sides of the Border,and wise people should ignore them.
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Jul 26, 2014 07:07am
I wonder why the state government could not come up with a single person who is resident of Telangana as it's brand ambassador. The religion of the person doesn't matter. What matters is that he is considers Telangana his or her home, and lives in Telangana.
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Jul 26, 2014 08:27am
@Javed ..... Its only about pakistan not religion....
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Jul 26, 2014 02:53pm
@Adeeb You think she bad mouthed Pakistan or commented about it in any negative way? I did not find any single sentence in the article that says so... What in your mind would be respecting Pakistan?
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Jul 26, 2014 03:07pm
@Courage according to Pakistani law of citizenship they will not be Pakistani
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Jul 26, 2014 04:47pm
@Javed Sorry Javed, but you dont automatically become citizen of America or other country by marrying some one from that country. You may become eligible, and then may choose to become citizen of that particular country. Huge difference, buddy.In this case Sania Mirza married shoaib malik but neither have chose to become citizen of each other's country.
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Jul 26, 2014 04:49pm
@John Why not Sania, if they chose her. They could have chosen some one else, but they have her and in my opinion, nothing wrong with that, unless you raise question of merit.
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Jul 26, 2014 11:11pm
TRS and MIM are in alliance in Telangana and that tells all the story behind choosing Sania Mirza as brand ambassador over Saina Nehwal.
Saina, an Olympic Bronze winner and positioned No#2 in world ranking, Sania don't stand even close to her achievements.
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Jul 27, 2014 01:39am
No matter what she says or what she does, her character assassination at the hands of BJP and like minded people in India will continue for good.
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Jul 27, 2014 06:05am
i do not understand why sania is so upset,look it was the indians who have sparked this conversation for the blonde sania who is out of game but needs to rem,ain in press thru these acts,god bless her and india
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