New Delhi: A controversy broke out after the Congress party’s national spokesperson Shama Mohammed slammed Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma for being ‘fat for a sportsperson’.
In a post on social media platform X, she also called Sharma the most ‘unimpressive’ captain Indian ever had.
A screenshot of Shama Mohmmed’s post on X. The post has now been deleted
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick to respond to Shama Mohammed’s post. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari claimed that the Congress was trying to send a message that they will oppose every Indian who is a patriot.
Who said what on Shama Mohammed’s tweet against Rohit Shama?
“They have an issue with Rohit Sharma…. the Captain has done good for the country and defeated New Zealand… This also questions the patriotism of the Congress party. This is now amply clear in front of the people of India that those who support India, are patriotic, who do good for India will be opposed by the Congress party; those who speak against the country will be supported,” said Bhandari.
Delhi Minister Sirsa termed Mohammed’s remarks ‘cheap’ and said it was very shameful that it was coming from the national spokesperson of the Congress party.
“This is a shameful comment made by Shama Mohammad, the official spokesperson of the Congress. It is clear that this is the Congress’ official stand. I feel sad that she is talking like this about the Captain of the biggest and most respected team. Their mindset has become very cheap,” said Sirsa.
Congress distances itself from Shama Mohammed’s tweet
Not only from the BJP, Shama was at the receiving end from her own party leadership for her remarks. While distancing herself from Mohammed’s remarks, Congress MP Rajani Patil said the party will seek a response from her on the issue.
“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,” said Patil.
Shama Mohammed clarifies her post about Rohit Sharma
Under attack for her remarks, Mohammed issued a clarification and said she did not intend to body shame anyone with her post on X.
“It was a generic tweet about the fitness of a sportsperson. It was not body-shaming. I 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 is a democracy,” said Mohammed.
It seems that the Kerala Congress has also deleted her original post on X where she had criticised Rohit Sharma for being ‘fat’.
