shama mohamed
Congress found itself in a difficult spot after its national spokesperson, Shama Mohamed, sparked controversy with her remarks about Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma. In a now-deleted social media post, she described Sharma as “fat for a sportsperson” and labeled him the “most unimpressive” captain in India’s history.shama mohamed
Her comments quickly attracted backlash from cricket fans and political opponents, prompting the Congress party to intervene and request the post’s removal.
Backlash and BJP’s Response
Mohamed’s remarks drew sharp criticism, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused Congress of “body-shaming” a celebrated cricketer and World Cup winner. In response to a social media user who defended Sharma’s skills, Mohamed questioned his legacy, comparing him unfavorably to Indian cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Kapil Dev.
BJP leaders strongly condemned the statement, with party member Radhika Khera accusing Congress of disrespecting athletes. Khera, who had previously been associated with Congress before joining the BJP, criticized her former party for allegedly undermining sports personalities over the years.shama mohamed
“This is the same Congress that has belittled athletes for decades, failed to recognize their contributions, and now has the audacity to mock a cricketing icon?” Khera remarked. She further took a jab at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating that while Rohit Sharma led India to a World Cup victory, Gandhi struggled to manage his party without internal discord.
Congress Distances Itself
In response to the growing criticism, Congress distanced itself from Mohamed’s remarks. Party leader Pawan Khera stated that the party highly respects the contributions of sports figures and does not endorse statements that diminish their achievements. He also confirmed that Mohamed had been advised to delete her post and exercise greater discretion in the future.
Meanwhile, Shama Mohamed defended her comments, asserting that they were meant as an observation on an athlete’s fitness rather than an instance of body-shaming. “It was not about body-shaming. I believe sportspersons should maintain peak fitness, and I simply felt he was slightly overweight,” she clarified.
India’s Recent Cricket Performance
Amid the controversy, the Indian cricket team continued its impressive performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy. In their final group-stage match, India secured a 44-run victory over New Zealand. Although captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed early, India posted a solid total of 249 runs in 50 overs. The team’s bowlers, led by Varun Chakaravarthy, delivered a remarkable performance, restricting New Zealand to 205 runs.
With this victory, India advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face Australia in a highly anticipated match on March 4.