Although it is a simple issue of marriage, it has engulfed two third of humanity living on this side of the globe. Traditional rivalry between India and Pakistan, seen mostly in newspapers, TV screens and sports fields, has engulfed both nations in like manners. Only this time A Love affair has replaced politics and sports.

Ayesha Spills the Beans

It was going perfect until Ms Ayesha Siddiqui opened her mouth and spilled the beans. On 28th March 2010 when the couple announced their marriage taking place on 15th April all national channels in both countries went haywire and started devoting substantial amount of their quality time to cover the event. Everyone thought that the love affair between Shoaib Malik 28, a cricketer from Pakistan, former captain of its cricket team and Sania Mirza 24, a tennis star in India will bring two countries closer. It rather has generated greater controversy.

Ayesha Siddiqui, 29, claimed that she had been married to Shoaib since June 3, 2002. Shoaib accepts that Nikah , oath of marriage, took place on phone but says he was shown picture of another girl at the time ofNikah and that the marriage was never consumed. He claims to have been wronged and cheated by Ayesha Siddiqui's family.

Shoaib Contradicts the Story

According to Shoaib he visited the family in Hyderabad a couple of times after the Nikah but was never able to meet the bride as she was always away on some domestic errands.

I was wrongly made to believe that the pictures Ayesha had sent me were of the girl I was marrying. I feel terrible about the mess created by a family that has caused a great grief to my own people and the family of my bride-to-be.

Ayesha, of course, refutes Shoaibs claims. She alleges that their telephone and internet courtship culminated in the Nikah that was conducted over the phone by an Islamic cleric. She says she has the document to prove it. However, the Nikah certificate produced does not bear her signatures. Further, although it has been issued in Sialkoat, hometown of Shoaib in Pakistani Punjab, it has not been legally registered with the local government.

Different Picture was Shown

Malik does not disown his signatures but claims that he was pressured into signing the marriage certificate called Nikahnama. According to him the marriage was invalid ab initio because she was not the woman he had seen in the photo.

A couple of days ago, at a press conference in Hyderabad, India her parents accused Shoab of slander and abused him in the glare of the press calling him, a bastard and cheat. They vowed to register a case against him.

Extremist Shiv Sena Steps in

An extremist Hindu political party Shiv Sena has also stepped in. Its leaders have openly opposed the marriage and demanded of Sania to either refuse the marriage or migrate to Pakistan. Its supremo Bal Thackeray has questioned Sania's commitment towards the country. This is despite the fact that the current head of countrys ruling Congress party, Ms Sonia Gandhi, is an Italian by birth.

No Legal Restriction on Second Marriage

Even if Shoaib is marrying for the second time there is no legal restriction on him to do this in India. In Pakistan, despite the fact that Islam permits a man to keep four wives if he can maintain all of them justly, for the second marriage a husband must seek permission from his first wife. In India, however, there are other laws that can cause trouble for the new couple. Ayeshas family has hired Barrister Farooq Hassan, a very famous lawyer in the country, to launch criminal proceeding against Shoaib in Pakistan.

Two days ago Ms Siddiqui told Zee News Channel, India: He (Shoaib) can marry Sania Mirza no problem. But he should divorce me before that. But according to Shoaib how could he divorce a woman who he never married. In Islamic law Nikah based on wrong information is not valid and has not taken place.

Sania Slightly Distressed

As the storm of controversy between Shoaib and Ayesha is raging Sonia Mirza is tweeting on her marriage controversies. "..me and my family know what the truth is, we've known it all along and we have confidence in god's justice," she has posted. "I am pretty sure these are not the pre-wedding jitters or butterflies in the stomach my married cousins were talking bout!" (2)

According to latest news channels reports Mohammed Siddiqui, father of Ayesha Siddiqui has filed an FIR against Shoaib for cheating. Mohammed Siddiqui, in his complaint, has accused Shoaib of 'cheating, cruelty to woman and criminal conspiracy.' Banjara Hills Police Inspector Iqbal Siddiqui confirms that.

Case Against Shoaib Registered

Shoaibs passports has been confiscated by Indian police and he has been barred from leaving the country. Pakistan High Commission in India has come into action. Foreign office spokesperson in Pakistan, Islamabad has said that Mr. Shoaib will be provided full support and legal cover. Some legal experts of International Law are already claiming on TV channels that Indian authorities hasty action against high profile person like Shoaib is in bad taste.

It is hoped that this does not develop into some sort of diplomatic row. M J Akbar, the editor-in-chief of Indias Sunday Guardian newspaper says, Its like an American gymnast marrying a Russian sports star during the Cold War.

Information

A love affair between Pakistani cricket star Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis superstar Sania Mirza replaces politics and sports in generating unprecedented controversy

First appeared in the Suite101 on Apr 5, 2010.