M A I N   N E W S

Fiza may contest, says Chand Mohd
Yoginder Gupta & Arun Sharma
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 10
“If the Congress does not give me the ticket during the next elections, I will abide by my party’s decision but my wife, Fiza (alias Anuradha Bali) will contest from Panchkula as an Independent candidate.”

This is what Chand Mohammad, alias Chander Mohan, former Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana, had to say when he made his first appearance after his second marriage to Fiza, former assistant advocate-general, in Chandigarh today.

Reacting to the strong reaction by his family on his conversion to Islam and second marriage, Chander Mohan said: “I was disowned by my family about a year ago. Only a public announcement has been made now. I own no property.”

Sitting in the living room of Anuradha’s parental house in Sector 48-C, Chander Mohan said his marriage with Seema was an arranged one and they were never mentally compatible with each other. “I had been feeling suffocated in the relationship for long. On Diwali this year, I ended my relationship with her when Seema told me that the Sector 8 Panchkula house belonged to her and I should quit it immediately.”

Denying that he had been missing since then, he said he had been in constant touch with his father, Bhajan Lal, and well-wishers. He claimed that he disposed of several official files during this time.

Both Chander Mohan and Anuradha asserted that they had not adopted Islam for convenience sake but out of their faith in the religion. They said they had been reading books on Islam since long. Interestingly, Chander Mohan presented a picture of the Ganga-Yamuna culture. While he was claiming his abiding faith in Islam, he was sporting a “mauli” (an auspicious thread of red colour) on his right wrist. He also said that before his conversion to Islam, he had been on a pilgrimage to various religious places, including Rameshwaram. Chand and Fiza said though they had converted to Islam, they would continue to be strict vegetarian. It is taboo for the Bishnois to eat meat.

Attributing his differences with his father to “generation gap”, Chander Mohan said he would not make any claim on his ancestral property.

Professing his “undying love” for Fiza, Chand said he would not like to meet any of his family members, including children, who, he said, were enjoying with their mother. Even if my children want to meet me, I would not meet them. I am very egoist,” he said, adding that he would also not allow Fiza to meet his family members.

His first priority is to search for a house either in Chandigarh or Panchkula.

Attired in a Numero Uno white half-sleeve undershirt and a pyajama, Chand asserted that he would continue to be in politics and he would discharge his duties towards his constituents as an MLA. Since he was a Congressman, he would meet Sonia Gandhi to seek her blessings. He said 95 per cent of the politicians led a double life. “I have openly married my love.”

They said they came in contact with each other about five years ago. Their friendship slowly turned into love and ultimately they decided to marry.

Fiza attacks Bishnoi

Fiza, nee Anuradha Bali, sees no justification in Bhajan Lal’s assertion that Chander Mohan’s conversion to Islam had defamed his family.

She said in presence of her husband that theirs was a pious relationship, which should not defame anyone. She said the family was defamed when Kuldeep Bishnoi, younger brother of Chander Mohan, was challaned while returning from a discotheque along with a girl.

When contacted, Bishnoi refused to react to her statement.

Bali said if Chander Mohan permitted, she would contest against his first wife Seema from Panchkula.

She said they were not teenagers, who had rushed into the marriage on an impulse. Their decision was well thought of and they were ready to face all consequences.

Fiza refused to disclose the amount of “mehar” saying that it was a personal matter. She also refused to tell where and when they converted to Islam and married, saying that these questions would be answered if anybody challenged their marriage in a court of law. She said if certain Muslim religious leaders were calling their marriage illegal, there were many who thought otherwise. “If anybody challenges our marriage, he or she would have to face defamatory proceedings,” she added.

Fiza said the last part of her maiden name was “Radha” and that of her husband was “Mohan”, therefore it seemed even God wanted their union. In Indian mythology, Mohan (another name for Lord Krishna) and Radha are considered to be celestial lovers.

She said they offered namaz for five times a day and had also celebrated Id-ul-Zuha yesterday.