Congress leader Shama Mohamed has found herself at the center of a storm after her recent remarks on Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness. As her comments drew sharp criticism from sports fans and political leaders alike, an old tweet of hers targeting Virat Kohli has resurfaced, reigniting a debate over respect for India’s cricket icons.
The Rohit Sharma Comment That Sparked Outrage
After India’s victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy semifinal on Sunday, Mohamed took to social media, remarking that Sharma, who turns 38 next month, is “fat for a sportsman” and called him “the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had.” The post was quickly deleted after backlash, but the damage was done. Fans and political figures accused her of body-shaming and undermining an athlete who has led India to numerous victories.
A Pakistan-based sports journalist defended Sharma, calling him a “world-class performer.” Mohamed responded by questioning his stature compared to Indian cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni.
An Old Kohli Tweet Resurfaces
As the controversy escalated, social media users unearthed Mohamed’s 2018 post criticizing Virat Kohli for his statement that those who preferred English and Australian batsmen over Indian players should “not live in India.”
At the time, Mohamed had written, “Virat Kohli plays a British-invented game, earns crores from endorsing foreign brands, got married in Italy, and yet tells those who love foreign batsmen to leave India.”
The resurfacing of this old remark led to fresh criticism, with some accusing her of having a problem with all Indian cricketers.
Political Reactions: BJP and Sports Minister Slam Remarks
The BJP strongly condemned Mohamed’s remarks, with spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari stating:
“Shame on Congress! Now they are going after the Indian Cricket Captain! Do they expect Rahul Gandhi to play cricket after failing in Indian politics?”
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also criticized her, calling the comments “deeply shameful” and “outright pathetic.”
“Such statements undermine the hard work and sacrifices of our sportspersons who bring pride to the nation,” Mandaviya added.
Shama Mohamed Defends Herself
Facing intense backlash, Mohamed defended her comments, insisting they were not meant as body-shaming.
“This is my personal remark, don’t bring my party into this. We can discuss an athlete’s fitness—what’s wrong with that? Since I am fit, I was only talking about his fitness… why is this being made into such a big issue?” she told reporters.
The Congress party distanced itself from the controversy, stating that Mohamed’s remarks did not reflect its position and confirming that she had been asked to delete the posts.
As the debate continues, one thing remains clear—cricket is more than just a game in India, and comments on the country’s sporting icons, whether past or present, are bound to evoke strong reactions.
Comments are closed.