Sindhi Samaj urges not to politicise Priyanka-Umar marriage

Bhopal, Apr 14 (UNI) In the wake of a Sindhi girl eloping with a Muslim boy and subsequent heated reactions, the Sindhi Samaj has urged everybody to not politicise the matter.

Hurt over being projected as ''Talibani and Tuglaqi'' by the media, the Samaj has asserted that the reality was just the opposite.

Sindhi Navyuvak Kalyan Parishad convenor Durgesh Keswani said no 'Tuglaqi' farman (edict) had been issued by the Sindhi Samaj restricting the use of two-wheelers and mobile phones by girls or regarding not covering their faces.

He said the Samaj had only alerted girls and guardians to remain alert that facilities were not misused.

Regarding the marriage of Priyanka Vadhwani and Mohammed Umar, Mr Keswani pointed out that Priyanka was merely 19 years old. The Sindhi Samaj and other people doubted whether she understood the difference between love and attraction.

He said Priyanka had to appear in B.Com IInd year examination on April 20. Under these circumstances, her running away and getting married exposed that her approach towards life was not mature and practical.

He wondered that why the concern over Priyanka's future by her parents and the Sindhi Samaj was being misunderstood.

On controlled reactions from the Sindhi Samaj in other parts of the country, he urged members of his Samaj, political parties and other organisations to not issue statements just for gaining appreciation or from political viewpoint.

Mr Keswani said the Sindhi Samaj believed in modern lifestyle.

However, values and ethics as per Indian traditions must also be considered.

Referring to Priyanka's statement to electronic media in Mumbai that she wanted to become role model for her community, he said this reflected her immaturity.

''Had she really wanted to become a role model, she would not have run away from home but demonstrated the strength of her character by convincing her parents for inter-religious marriage,'' he said.

Mr Keswani said their concern was about Priyanka's future and demanded that police arranged the girl's meeting with her parents.

He said Priyanka had already got married and the time to criticise her decision had already passed.

The Sindhi Samaj leader said some reports had been received that a large number of Hindu girls had changed their religions after marriage.

He said the government must investigate these matters to ascertain the facts in this regard.

A Sindhi girl, Priyanka Vadhwani, eloped with Mohammed Umar and got married to him in Mumbai. Umar converted to Hinduism and changed his name to Umesh before the marriage.

Various organisations, which had given hot statements in the past two-three days in this regard, had toned down and were issuing restricted statements now.

Newly-constituted Hindu Raksha Samiti (HRS) has called a bandh in the state capital today but later withdrew it after talks with the district administration.

UNI