Red-faced Congress makes Shama Mohamed take down X post calling Rohit Sharma 'fat'

The Congress party has officially distanced itself from the remarks made by its national spokesperson, Dr. Shama Mohamed, regarding Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma. The party clarified that her comments do not reflect its official position, and she has been asked to delete her social media posts and exercise greater caution in the future.

Congress leader Pawan Khera took to social media to issue a statement on the matter, saying: "Dr Shama Mohamed, National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, made certain remarks about a cricketing legend that do not reflect the party's position. She has been asked to delete the concerned social media posts from X and has been advised to exercise greater caution in the future."

Emphasizing the party’s respect for Indian sports icons, Khera further stated: "The Indian National Congress holds the contributions of sporting icons in the highest regard and does not endorse any statements that undermine their legacy."

The controversy erupted after Shama criticized Rohit Sharma's fitness and leadership, calling him "overweight" and "the most unimpressive captain India has ever had." 

Reacting to the remarks, Congress MP Rajani Patil also disapproved of Shama's comments, stressing that the party does not support body shaming.

"I personally and the party also will not approve of body shaming anyone. Talking this way about a sportsperson who represents the country is not right. The party will seek a response from her on this."

In her now-deleted post, Mohamed wrote: "@ImRo45 is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course, the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had!"

Her remarks sparked widespread criticism from BJP leaders, cricket fans, and social media users.

Following the backlash, Mohamed clarified her stance denying that her comments were intended as body-shaming. She maintained that her tweet was simply an observation on athlete fitness.

"It was not body-shaming. I always believed a sports person should be fit, and I felt he was a bit overweight, so I just tweeted about that. I have been attacked for no reason. When I compared him with previous captains, I put in a statement. I have the right. What is wrong in saying that? It is a democracy."

Her comments did not sit well with BJP leaders, who accused Congress of disrespecting a national sports icon. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla hit back at the Congress party, drawing a parallel between Rahul Gandhi’s leadership failures and Rohit Sharma’s achievements.

"Those who have lost 90 elections under the captaincy of Rahul Gandhi are calling the captaincy of Rohit Sharma unimpressive! I guess 6 ducks in Delhi and 90 election losses is impressive, but winning a T20 World Cup isn’t! Rohit has a brilliant track record as captain, by the way!" Poonawalla posted on X.

BJP leader Radhika Khera also lashed out at the Congress party, accusing it of disrespecting Indian athletes and undermining their contributions.

"The party that thrives on nepotism is lecturing a self-made champion? Rohit Sharma is a World Cup-winning captain. Your leader, Rahul Gandhi, can't even captain his own party without crashing it into the ground!