Why did Virat-Anushka not get married in India, asks Madhya Pradesh MLA

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Madhya Pradesh Pannalal Shakya set off a massive controversy on Tuesday after he questioned Indian cricket captain Virat Kolhi and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma's decision to get married in Italy, and not in India.

"He is loved by millions, he represents India on the world stage, why did he not hold his wedding ceremony in India?" Shakya said. 

"This is not rashtra bhakti," he added. 

Shakya said Kohli cannot be an inspiration to Indians since only those who are loyal to their country and swear by it deserve to be inspirations. 

The MLA added that Virat earned his money and fame in India but chose to take that money out of the country and to a foreign land. 

"Ram, Krishna, Yudhishthira married in India. All you people have either been married or will be married in India. No one goes to a foreign land to get married like they did. He earned his money and fame in India and took it abroad," the BJP MLA said.  

Virushka got married in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy on December 11, with only family and close friends in attendance. 

The couple are among India’s most popular celebrities and stories of their romance have been making headlines for years.