Sania Mirza’s admission in Australia that she considered quitting the sport after being accused of insulting the Tricolour, on top of other charges that routinely come her way, has satisfied one man in Madhya Pradesh.

“It’s emotional blackmail,” declares Prakash Kumar Thakur, basking in the attention brought by his court case against the tennis star. She has been asked by a court to appear before it on March 10.

“Yes I am happy,” says the 28-year-old property broker, and adds, “the admission means she knows she is guilty”.

In no mood to pardon the player, he says most sportspersons apologise only when court cases are slapped against them. “There is a growing tendency among sportspersons to show disrespect to the flag.”

Sachin Tendulkar and Mandira Bedi have been at the receiving end of this part-time social worker’s zeal to protect the dignity of the flag. The cricketer had cut a tricolour cake and the TV host had sported a sari festooned with national flags of several countries.

Asked what brought on this pro-activeness towards the flag, Thakur says: “I wanted to join the Army but my weak eyesight did not let me even attempt the career. I have a deep respect for the flag.”

Two years ago he met advocate R K Pandey, who had filed a case against M F Husain, again for insulting the flag, in a Bhopal court. Since then Pandey, who has filed three such cases of his own, has represented Thakur in court.

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