Following BJP leader K Laxman's comment dubbing tennis player Sania Mirza as the"daughter-in-law" of Pakistan and therefore not worthy of being the ambassador for Telangana, several leaders have reacted to the controversy.
BJP spokesperson MJ Akbar responded in agreement, "Local Telangana leaders are saying that Sania Mirza stays in Dubai, how can she be the brand ambassador of Telangana?" Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy also said, "I agree with the BJP leaders that when people have divided loyalties, we cannot expect them to represent the country or any part of the country faithfully. So, the BJP stand is well taken."
Also read: We can't expect people with divided loyalties to represent India faithfully: Subramanian Swamy on Sania Mirza
"She never fought for Telangana, moreover she is married to a Pakistani, people will not appreciate," said V Hanumantha Rao, Congress MP for Rajya Sabha.
However, several other leaders, including from the BJP, have slammed this controversial comments, issuing statements in support of the tennis player.
"This is foolish talk, we don't care what anyone says, she is an international achiever," Keshav Rao from TRS said while Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that Mirza has an international standing of her own and that "we have no problem, actually she is brand ambassador of India."
Also read: Sania Mirza is a pride of India, says Prakash Javadekar
"If someone says this then it reflects his culture," reacted senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi.
"Every Indian is allowed to marry whoever they want and wherever they want," said Congress Rajya Sabha MP MS Gill.
"When a woman is made brand ambassador then controversies erupt but not when a man is made an ambassador" said Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury
"This is absurd, frankly I have no comment over this." said Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh.
"This is a unfortunate controversy,Sania Mirza has made India proud at the world stage," said Gaurav Gogoi of Congress
"Only a pervert & twisted mind can give such a statement,the comment must be dismissed outright." Rajya Sabha MP Brinda Karat from CPI said.
"Is this the way to treat a daughter, these kind of statements should not be made," Mehbooba Mufti of People's Democratic Party.
"We should welcome Telangana government's decision of choosing Sania Mirza as its brand ambassador," Samajwadi Party's Mayawati responded.
Congress leader Manish Tewari called it "a bizarre controversy." While Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Jay Panda said, "Wherever she may have married, but she is an Indian citizen. This should be respected."
Several other well known voices tweeted their support.
With agency inputs.
Read more on the issue here.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}