'Their problem is my husband's Hindu identity'; Popular social media star Nasriya Sulthana responds

Just a few days back, prominent social media star Nasriya Sulthana got married in a covert ceremony. Just hours after the marriage, Tirur native Nasriya became the talking point on social media with many throwing brickbats at her. The reason for the flak may sound interesting— Muslim woman Nasriya married a Hindu man. This was Nasriya’s second marriage.

With every passing hour, videos started emerging on YouTube with vloggers making caustic comments on her decision to leave her parents and marry a Hindu man. Some others brought out the hypocrisy of right-wingers who used to cry foul over the ‘love jihad’ case.

And now, ending all the rabble-rousing, Nasriya responded in a video about her decision and her ongoing battle with depression.

NASRIYA SULTHANA:

“For the last few days, my life has been discussed across social media. I am thankful to people who supported me in the case but I don’t know what to say of others who tore me apart and critiqued me on social media. Despite not knowing me or my previous life, these vloggers humiliated me in the vilest way possible. They proved they could drag a woman to the drains and inflict such mental agony through words.

Many say that I have eloped leaving behind my son from the first marriage. To clear the air, I won’t do anything without my son. He is my life and I would not leave him anywhere. You people know me as a celebrity on Instagram. But I have a past and it is not anything to write home about. I struggled throughout my life and for the past 10 years, I lived in a rented house and worked hard to make ends meet. I could have eloped with anyone but I cared not to do that considering my son. I lived for him.

And now, I met somebody who loved me and was ready to take care of my son. I decided to marry him. It was not an instant decision but was taken after so much deliberation. I am happy now and my son is too. However, my marriage didn’t bode well with some vloggers because my partner happens to be a Hindu. People who never cared to know how I lived are suddenly expressing concern for me.

For the past week, I switched off my phone and put it on flight mode to escape criticism. It was too much for me and I even pondered suicide. I wanted somebody in my life and I found a man. He is a great human being and I don’t give a hoot about his religion. I am happy now. Please don’t hurt me again. My life is personal and I request you to not intrude.”