Sania Mirza reacts to Telangana brand ambassador controversy

"It hurts me that so much precious time of prominent politicians and the media is being wasted on a petty issue of my being appointed the Brand Ambassador of my State of Telangana. I sincerely believe that this precious time should be spent on solving the more urgent issues of our State and country," she said.

BJP legislative party chief K Laxman said they are opposed to her role as a brand ambassador since she is a non-local.

BJP apparently also objected to her being a daughter-in-law of Pakistan since Sania is married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.

Sania's statement goes like this:

It hurts me that so much precious time of prominent politicians and the media is being wasted on a petty issue of my being appointed the Brand Ambassador of my State of Telangana. I sincerely believe that this precious time should be spent on solving the more urgent issues of our State and country.

I would like to state as follows:

1. I am married to Mr. Shoaib Malik, who is from Pakistan. I am an Indian, who will remain an Indian until the end of my life.

2. 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 and I strongly condemn any attempts by any person, whosoever, to brand me an outsider.

I hope this clears all doubts and issues.

- Sania Mirza 

Earlier the BJP leader said: "I am not questioning her credentials as a sportsperson. I am questioning the government since the chief minister [K Chandrashekhar Rao of TRS] wants documents from before 1956 as proof of being native even from those who belong to Telangana."

Laxman said Sania is actually born in Maharashtra and she had nothing to do with Telangana issue or movement. He said Sania came to Hyderabad later.

K Laxman said:"It is a question of pride of Telangana." He said there are many others, celebrities who can be brand ambassador.

He also accused the ruling party in the new state as resorting to vote bank politics.

Congress has slammed the BJP for creating the controversy.

Social activist Kiran Bedi also supported Sania Mirza saying the politicians must grow up.