Reacting strongly on the row over her appointment as the brand ambassador of Telangana, the Indian tennis star Sania Mirza on Thursday hit back at BJP leader K Laxman by saying she is an Indian and will remain so until the end of her life.
“I am married to Shoaib Malik, who is from Pakistan. I am an Indian, who will remain an Indian until the end of my life. My family belongs to Hyderabad for more than a century and I strongly condemn any attempts made by any person to brand me an outsider,” Sania said.
“It hurts me that so much time is being wasted on a petty issue of my being appointed as brand ambassador of Telangana,” She added.
“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. My forefathers have lived in Hyderabad for more than a century. My grandfather, Mr Mohammed Zaffer Mirza started his career as an Engineer in Nizam’s Railways in Hyderabad in 1948 and died in his ancestral home in Hyderabad. My great grandfather, Mr Mohd Ahmed Mirza was also born and raised in Hyderabad. He was the Chief Engineer, Water Works, Hyderabad and was responsible for constructing the famous Gandipet dam. My great, great grandfather, Mr Aziz Mirza was the Home Secretary under the Nizam in Hyderabad and worked tirelessly for relief works during the historic Musi River floods of 1908. So, my family belongs to Hyderabad for more than a century. I hope this clears all doubts and issues,” she further added.
Earlier, calling Sania a “daughter-in-law of Pakistan” Telengana BJP MLA Laxman questions her credentials for the honour.
“Sania Mirza cannot become Telangana brand ambassador. She now lives in Pakistan,” Laxman said.
Laxman told reporters that Sania was born in Maharashtra and settled in Hyderabad for few years and then married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and lived abroad, thus she was “non-local”.
Laxman also accused the government of appeasing minority community in wake of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections.
Meanwhile party maintained its distance from Laxman’s comments.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said, “This isn’t the BJP’s position. She is the pride of India and she has earned her reputation because of her skills. Someone saying something isn’t right.”
BJP leader and former cricketer Kirti Azad said, “No one in Parliament will appreciate this. I condemn this why should regional, religious identities of sport stars be talked about. They are ambassadors of India first.”
The Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao handed over Rs 1 crore cheque and an appointment letter of the brand ambassador of Telangana to Mirza on Tuesday.
Describing her as a daughter of Hyderabad, the chief minister said, “Telangana is proud of Sania who is a true Hyderabadi. She’s now ranked number five in international tennis and we wish she becomes the number one.”
Tags: BJP brand ambassador K Laxman Sania Mirza Telengana
