By IANS,
New Delhi: Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy Saturday termed as “cheap political gimmicks” Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s comments on Sania Mirza’s proposed marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.
“The comment of Bal Thackeray is highly symptomatic of his notorious tendency to lend a communal colour to every issue. The people of India, in the second decade of 21st century, are much too mature and sophisticated for such cheap political gimmicks,” Reddy said in a statement released here.
Calling it to be the personal decision of Sania Mirza, Reddy said: “It is unfortunate that the Shiv Sena leader, Bal Thackeray, has chosen to criticise the decision of Sania Mirza to marry a Pakistani cricketer on political grounds.”
“We in India have very serious problems with the government of Pakistan. That does not, however, mean that there cannot be good relations between the people of the two countries. At any rate, the choices in matters relating to marriage are absolutely personal. Nobody can dispute the freedom of Sania Mirza on the issue,” he said.
In an editorial in Saamna, the Shiv Sena had Friday lashed out at the proposed Sania-Shoaib marriage. It even advised her to “play for Pakistan” after her marriage.
Taking a U-turn over the issue Saturday, however, the party said it was Sania’s “personal matter”.