Things That Bang

The Shoaib-Ayesha marriage fiasco finally came to an end today when the two warring factions signed divorce papers. Shoaib Malik will pay Ayesha Rs. 15,000 for three months which is considered to be basic mehr.

The FIR against Shoaib Malik has been withdrawn. Apparently the elders of the community acted as arbitrators and helped resolve the matter.

A spokesman of the community stressed that neither side have won and that Ayesha is happy with the outcome.

While the media is calling Shoaib shifty eyed for his blatant lies and prevarication about his marriage with Ayesha, they seem to ignore the fact that Ayesha's family used Section 498a of the Indian Penal Code to put pressure on Shoaib, alleging cruelty. Whether there is truth to the allegation is unknown but this is definitely a matter that should not be allowed to slide by that easily by the nosy media.

Another aspect that should be considered is whether marriages with Indians or between Indians should formally be registered with the state whatever be the religious policies since there have been many other similar cases where spouses have been left high and dry after marriages took place without paper trails.

Shoaib Malik has left himself looking quite unreliable both in India and Pakistan. While the matter is a private one between Sania Mirza and Shoaib, but it has raised questions whether she knew the truth all along and were colluding in taking the nation and the media for a ride, or was blissfully ignorant, and is willing to forgive his varying claims. It might be a closed chapter for Ayesha and her family, but Sania is at the threshold of some momentous decisions in her own life.