The controversy surrounding the wedding of tennis star Sania Mirza with Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik came to an end on Wednesday with a compromise worked out between the cricketer and Hyderabad woman Ayesha Siddiqui.
As per the agreement, Mr. Malik will divorce Ms. Siddiqui and she will withdraw the police complaint against him.
Mr. Malik is scheduled to marry Ms. Mirza here on April 15.
The ‘compromise formula' was thrashed out by a four-member committee headed by Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) general secretary Abid Rasool Khan.
The controversy arose after Ms. Siddiqui publicly demanded an apology and divorce from Mr. Malik after his engagement to Ms. Mirza was publicised. She approached the police with a complaint following which a criminal case was registered against the cricketer.
Mr. Khan told journalists on Wednesday that the whole community was terribly upset at the way things were turning uglier day-by-day.
“We have been working for this compromise for the last four to five days without making much noise. And on the advice of the elders in the community, both the families agreed to abide their viewpoint to ensure that things don't drift to a point of no return,” he said.
Besides a settlement of Rs. 15,000 for three months towards divorce settlement as per the Islamic Law, nothing else was debated during the talks. “There were no conditions set by either of the two families before arriving at this compromise,” Mr. Khan said.
“An application has been forwarded to the police for the withdrawal of the cases filed by Ms. Siddiqui's family against Mr. Malik. That process is already on and we are confident that it is only a question of completing a formality now.”
Maj. Quadri, president of Help Hyderabad organisation and member of the committee that ensured the compromise, said, “Yes, it is a fact that the families have been pressured for their own good, as too many inconsistencies are cropping up in their statements and also too many allegations and counter-allegations are being made ahead of the wedding.”
“There is no mala fide intention from either side. The two families are clearly happy with the end-result after the trauma they faced over the last few days. We believe this is the perfect solution and an honourable exit for both parties. We hope and pray both will have a peaceful life in the days to come,” he said.
Ms. Mirza's uncle Shaif Mohammad said the compromise formula should put to an end the “unnecessary acrimony.” “We are happy and so is Sania. I sincerely believe this is the end of it all.”
Ms. Siddiqui's mother Farisha Siddiqui said: “The divorce has been settled and done with. This has been decided by the elders in the interest of the two families and we are all happy. I believe justice has been done to my daughter and to our family finally.”
She, however, refused to take any questions on whether Mr. Malik spoken to her daughter and also to queries on the police complaints.
