New Delhi: The Congress on Monday distanced itself from the controversial remarks of its spokesperson Shama Mohamed on Team India captain Rohit Sharma. Congress leader Pawan Khera, in his X post, said that the views of Mohamed do not reflect the party's position. The Congress also asked Mohamed to delete her controversial posts.
"Shama Mohammed, 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," Khera said.
"The Indian National Congress holds the contributions of sporting icons in the highest regard and does not endorse any statements that undermine their legacy," the Congress leader added.
Pawan Khera's Tweet:
Dr. Shama Mohammed, National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, made certain remarks about a cricketing legend that do not reflect the party's position.
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) March 3, 2025
She has been asked to delete the concerned social media posts from X and has been advised to exercise greater…
Mohamed is facing flak for criticising and body-shaming Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma. She called Team India "overweight" and "the most unimpressive captain India has ever had." After the criticism, she later deleted her posts. Besides calling Rohit Sharma fat, Mohamed also raised questions on captaincy, calling it ‘unimpressive’.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Radhika Khera lashed out at Mohamed for her comments on the Team India captain. "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?" Khera wrote.
While taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Khera added, "Rohit Sharma led India to a World Cup victory, while Rahul Gandhi can't even lead his own party without sinking it into chaos!"
After facing flak, Mohamed deleted her tweets.
However, despite criticism, the Congress spokesperson remained defiant. Defending her comments, Mohammed denied body-shaming Rohit Sharma and said that she felt he was a bit overweight. Speaking to ANI she said, "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..."
She made the controversial remarks during the India-New Zealand Champions Trophy match on Sunday.