New Delhi: The Congress Monday asked its spokesperson Shama Mohamed to delete her social media posts critical of Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma, saying the party does not endorse any statements that undermine the legacy of the country’s sporting icons.
In her posts, now deleted, Mohamed had called Sharma “fat” and a “mediocre player”.
Seizing on Mohamed’s posts, made on X, the BJP said her views on Sharma were reflective of “the mindset of Congress towards any achievements of Bharat”.
Even as she deleted her posts, Mohamed defended herself, saying there was no reason for her to apologise for having aired her views on the abilities of a sportsperson.
“It was a generic tweet about the fitness of a sportsperson. It was not body-shaming. I have always believed a sportsperson 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 it? It is a democracy,” Mohamed told ANI.
The row erupted after Mohamed questioned Sharma’s standing as a captain compared to past cricketing greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid, among others.
“What is so world-class about him when compared to his predecessors like Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid, Dhoni, Kohli, Kapil Dev, Shastri and the rest! He is a mediocre captain as well as a mediocre player who got lucky to be the captain of India,” Mohamed wrote in the now deleted post.
In another post, also deleted, she added: “Fat for a sportsman! Needs to lose weight! And of course, the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had!”
As the controversy snowballed, chairman of the Congress Media and Publicity Department Pawan Khera distanced the party from Mohamed’s views and also censured her.
“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. The Indian National Congress holds the contributions of sporting icons in the highest regard and does not endorse any statements that undermine their legacy,” Khera posted on X.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also waded into the debate, backing Sharma, who represented Mumbai in domestic cricket.
“Not an avid cricket fan, however, even with my limited interest in the game, I can say that Rohit Sharma – with extra pounds of weight or without it, has led the India team to great heights. It is his work and commitment to it that matters. Win the trophy, Champion!” Chaturvedi posted on X.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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