Congress leader calls Rohit Sharma ‘fat’, defends remark with ‘what’s wrong in saying in democracy?’

NEW DELHI: Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed, whose criticism of ‘fat’ Team India skipper Rohit Sharma triggered outrage, clarified on Monday that her remark was “generic” while asking “what is wrong in saying? It is a democracy…”

Shama Mohamed, in a post on X, which she subsequently deleted, said that the Indian cricket team’s captain needs to “lose weight”, and called him the country’s “most unimpressive captain”. Mohamed remarks follwed after Rohit Sharma was dismissed after 15 runs off 17 balls during a match against New Zealand for the Champions Trophy on Sunday.

The Congress leader’s comments drew massive criticism with the BJP stating that a party which had lost “90 elections” under Rahul Gandhi was terming the captaincy of Rohit Sharma as unimpressive.

#WATCH | On her comment on Indian Cricket team captain Rohit Sharma, Congress leader Shama Mohammed says, “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… pic.twitter.com/OBiLk84Mjh

— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2025

The Congress’ national spokesperson said on Monday, “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…”

Shama Mohamed had yesterday written in her now deleted post on X “@ImRo45 is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And, ofcourse, the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had”.

Bharatiya Janata Party accused her of “body shaming” the stalwart batter and took a dig at the Congress party’s electoral performance

“Congress spokesperson body-shaming @ImRo45 – The sheer audacity! This is the same Congress that humiliated athletes for decades, denied them recognition, and now dares to mock a cricketing legend? The party that thrives on nepotism is lecturing a self-made champion? Rohit Sharma is a World Cup-winning captain. Your leader, @RahulGandhi, can’t even captain his own party without crashing it into the ground! Mr. @Jairam_Ramesh, instead of your team spewing cheap insults at a man who has brought glory to India, you & ur spokespersons should focus on the real ‘weight’ your party is shedding–relevance, credibility, and elections! Congress should worry about its own sinking dynast before taking cheap shots at India’s pride!” Radhika Khera wrote in a post on X.

Congress spokesperson body-shaming @ImRo45 – The sheer audacity!

This is the same Congress that humiliated athletes for decades, denied them recognition, and now dares to mock a cricketing legend? The party that thrives on nepotism is lecturing a self-made champion?

Rohit… pic.twitter.com/mbreaKLT3a

— Radhika Khera (@Radhika_Khera) March 2, 2025

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

Those who have lost 90 elections under captaincy of Rahul Gandhi are calling captaincy of Rohit Sharma unimpressive!

I guess 6 ducks in Delhi and 90 election losses is impressive but winning T20 World Cup isn’t!

Rohit has a brilliant track record as captain by the way! pic.twitter.com/5xE8ecrr4x

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) March 3, 2025

Meanwhile, Congress MP Rajani Patil said that the Congress will seek a response from Mohamed 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”, Patil said.

On Sunday, New Zealand fell to India’s spin ploy as the Rohit Sharma-led side ended at the top of Group A with a 44-run victory in Dubai on Sunday.

India decided to drop Harshit Rana and field four spinners for their final group-stage game before the semifinals. The decision worked wonders as India’s ball tweakers spun New Zealand batters inside out to defend its 249-run target successfully.

With a third victory on the trot, India ended the group stage with six points, while New Zealand finished in second with four points. (ANI)