'I don't know how many times I will have to justify my Indianess'

An emotional Sania Mirza broke down during a television interview on Friday when asked about Telangana BJP leader K Laxman’s controversial remark that she is 'Pakistan's daughter-in-law'.

The Indian tennis ace said it was unfair that she has to assert her 'Indianess' all the time despite achieving so many laurels for the country.

"I was really sad yesterday. It is really upsetting for me. I don't know if it happens in any other country. I don't know how many times I will have to justify my Indianess, prove my patriotism," Sania told NDTV, during an interview while holding back tears.

"This is such a horrible thing. Is it happening because I am a woman or I am married to a man from another country? Why am I picked on?

"I got medals for India after I got married. If someone questions my roots, my family even after all that, I won't let that happen. I am representing Talengana and India when I am playing and I will continue to do that.

"I will remain an Indian until the end of my life," she said.

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The TRS government had appointed Sania brand ambassador of the newly carved-out state. However, the decision didn't go down well with Telangana BJP leader K Laxman, who questioned the tennis star's credentials for the honour and termed her a "daughter-in-law" of Pakistan.

Condemning the remark, Sania issued a strong statement, saying: "I strongly condemn any attempts by any person to brand me an outsider. Hurts me that so much time is being wasted on a petty issue of my being appointed as brand ambassador of Telangana."