AS THE SHOAIB-SANIA-AYESHA DRAMA SEEMS TO HAVE CONCLUDED AMICABLY
With two nations engulfed in the Sania Mirza-Shoaib Malik-Ayesha Siddiqui saga, there hasn’t been a single day when the embattled Pakistan cricketer, his ex-wife and current bride-to-be weren’t in the news, for all the wrong reasons. With both parties indulging in mud-slinging, the saga got murkier by the day. The stalemate came to an end on Wednesday evening, when Shoaib Malik finally signed the talaqnama. But there seems to be more than what meets the eye. Hyderabad Times spoke to key players in the drama who managed to broker a deal to end the weeklong saga.
THE PRESSURES
With Shoaib Malik doing a flip-flop on his marriage, questions were raised, especially by the Malik and Mirza family on the authenticity of the nikaah. But it was Ayesha who provided damning evidence against the cricketer. “The evidence against Shoaib (Malik) was so strong that he had no way out but to sign the talaqnama. Ayesha had given the Hyderabad Police the dates when Shoaib came to Hyderabad to meet her. The police found corroborating entries on his passport on those particular dates. That, along with some damning evidence, which is too personal to discuss, finally nailed his lie,” says Shams Babar, a family friend of the Siddiquis. Major Qadri, one of the community leaders agrees that Ayesha had strong evidence to prove her marriage to Malik. “When I met Ayesha, she showed me evidences that left no doubt that she was indeed married to Malik,” says Qadri. Proof aside, sources also say it was the fatwa issued by the imam of the Tipu Sultan Masjid in Kolkata that put immense social pressure on the Maliks and Mirzas. “The saga was taking a religious turn putting the community’s reputation at stake. We had to intervene,” quips Qadri. Reliable sources however point out, “Both parties are hiding things, which if revealed could have made things dirtier than it already has. So, it was important to put a stop to it.”
THE MAIN PLAYER
Contrary to reports that community leaders pressurised the couple to see sense, it was actually the Hyderabad Police who helped resolve the matter. “It was the Hyderabad police who did their job well,” says Shams Babar. “Before the elders and community leaders could intervene, the Hyderabad Police went to Malik and told him that there could be an impending arrest based on the proof Ayesha had provided. There was no way out for Malik,” says Babar. Confirming this Qadri says, “The Mirza’s were in a hurry because the scheduled marriage cannot take place without Malik signing the talaqnama, as that would eventually lead to his arrest.”
WHO APPROACHED WHOM?
The Mirzas made the first move to resolve the conflict, considering the evidence staring in their face. Sania’s uncle and aunt had a discussion with the police after which a decision was reached to approach the community leaders to broker the deal. “The Mirzas approached us,” confirms Babar. “Ayesha was hell-bent on fighting for herself. It became an ego clash because Sania and Shoaib were stars who were accusing an ordinary woman of cheating,” informs a source.
WITH EVIDENCE
This time the leaders of the community left no stone unturned to make sure the talaqnama was indeed signed and authentic. “We have taken pictures of both parties signing the talaqnama in the presence of witnesses,” says Qadri, adding, “We’ve also taken separate pictures of the signed document.” Sources say that Ayesha got what she wanted including an apology from Shoaib. “Shoaib has apologised in private and in the talaqnama as well,” confirms Babar.
THE REAL AYESHA?
Vice principal of a school in Dubai, Ayesha Siddiqui is a strong and smart woman. She has been fighting for four long years and had to quit her job to come back to Hyderabad. Ayesha went in hiding due to stress, depression and obesity. “Ayesha had been through a traumatic time and has been confined to her house. She is also undergoing treatment for obesity from my daughter Sadiqa. Now, she finally feels vindicated,” says Shams Babar. Sources also confirm that Ayesha is more obese than the pictures that were shown on TV and print. “Shoaib thought he could ride through this controversy solely on his star power and the Mirzas’ political clout. But now that truth has prevailed, Ayesha is a happy woman. She plans to travel and live her life to the fullest,” says a close family friend.
No comments:
Post a Comment