Shiv Sena criticizes Sania for marrying a Pakistani - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The right-wing Shiv Sena has lashed out at tennis star Sania Mirza for her decision to marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. In the party mouthpiece 'Saamna', the Shiv Sena said, Sania should marry an Indian if she wishes to play for India, adding that she is longer an Indian. Had she truly been an Indian at heart, she would not have chosen a Pakistani. Further objecting to Sania's marriage, the Shiv Sena asserted she should marry an Indian in order to retain Indian nationality. "After marriage, Sania will become a Pakistani citizen. How can she have Pakistani citizenship and play for India? Has this country become a tennis ball to Sania that she plays with it, however she pleases?" adds the Sena. National Communist Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Avhad and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi have also expressed their displeasure at Sania's marriage asserting that she would become a Pakistani after her marriage. It has been reported that the wedding ceremony of both sports stars will take place in April, while the Walima reception will be hosted by Shoaib on April 16 or 17 in Lahore. Shoaib was earlier engaged and allegedly married to another Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Siddiqui.