BJP MLA calls Virat Kohli 'unpatriotic' for marrying Anushka Sharma in Italy

What’s the story?

While Indian captain Virat Kohli’s wedlock with long-time girlfriend Anushka Sharma was the most discussed and admired wedding of the year, BJP leader Pannalal Shakya — an MLA from Guna in Madhya Pradesh, feels that it was unpatriotic of Virat to tie the knot outside of India.

In a video report by Republic TV, Shakya, while addressing a public rally in Pune on December 19, called the Indian cricket team captain "unpatriotic" for marrying Anushka in Italy.

BJP MLA Pannalal Sakya questions Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s patriotism for marrying outside India pic.twitter.com/wJOSN2jgKn

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 19, 2017

In case you didn’t know...

Virat and Anushka, who were dating each other since 2013, tied the knot in the Tuscan region of Milan, Italy, on December 11. Only the family members of the couple and their closest friends were a part of the grand wedding that took place in a luxurious hamlet-turned-villa called the Borgo Finocchieto.

The heart of the matter

The video shows the BJP MLA saying that prodigies from Mahabharata - Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and King Yudhisthira got married in their own backyard but Virat and Anushka, without showing any sentiments towards their motherland, chose to marry in Italy.

Adorable pictures from their wedding ceremonies, Mehendi and the main wedding day particularly, have gone viral on the internet since their D-Day. Virat and Anushka had reportedly fallen in love during a shampoo ad shoot that they did together in 2013, but didn’t officiate their relationship until earlier this year when Virat posted a romantic picture with Anushka on Instagram. And while several reports of their separation emerged every now and then, the couple tied the knot last week.

What’s next?

According to reports, the couple went to Rome for their honeymoon soon after marriage and are back in India now. They will be hosting a reception in New Delhi for their relatives on December 21 which will be followed by another reception for the Bollywood and cricket fraternity in Mumbai on December 26. Reports also suggest that the two have bought a new house in Worli, Mumbai, where they will be shifting soon.

Author’s Take

Being stalwarts of their respective fields, marrying in India would have meant constant intervention from the media and shutterbugs, and perhaps it was the best decision to marry in Italy, away from the hype that is given to weddings of famous personalities in India.