The controversy surrounding Congress leader Shama Mohamed’s remarks on Rohit Sharma continues to escalate, drawing reactions from political leaders, cricketers, and fans alike. Her comments labeling the Indian cricket captain as “fat for a sportsman” and the “most unimpressive captain India has ever had” triggered a social media storm, with netizens divided over the issue. While many criticized her for engaging in body-shaming and undermining a cricketer who has led India to numerous victories, others defended her right to express an opinion about a public figure. The debate intensified further when her old 2018 post on Virat Kohli resurfaced, adding fuel to the fire and raising questions about her pattern of controversial remarks on Indian cricketers.
In her now-viral post from 2018, Mohamed had taken a dig at Kohli, questioning his patriotism by pointing out that he played a sport invented by the British, earned millions from endorsing foreign brands, got married in Italy, and admired international athletes. The post was in response to Kohli’s reaction to a cricket fan who had called him “overrated” and expressed a preference for watching English and Australian batsmen. Kohli’s response at the time—telling the fan that he “shouldn’t live in India” if he liked foreign players more—had also sparked outrage, leading him to issue a clarification, stating that he supported freedom of choice and had been misinterpreted.
Now, with Mohamed’s latest remarks on Rohit Sharma, the BJP has seized the opportunity to attack the Congress, accusing it of belittling Indian sports icons. BJP leaders and supporters condemned the Congress spokesperson’s remarks, with many highlighting Sharma’s achievements, including his leadership in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the Asia Cup victory. BJP spokesperson Radhika Khera, who had earlier been a Congress member, accused her former party of having a history of “humiliating” athletes and showing a lack of respect for India’s sporting achievements. She cited past instances where Congress leaders allegedly undermined India’s progress in sports, framing the controversy as part of a larger pattern.
In response, the Congress distanced itself from Mohamed’s remarks, with party leader Pawan Khera issuing a statement that the party held all sportspersons in the highest regard. He further stated that Mohamed had been advised to delete her post and be more cautious in the future. Despite this, the damage had already been done, as screenshots of her post continued to circulate online, and social media users debated whether her remarks were a reflection of her personal views or indicative of a larger attitude within the Congress party.
The issue has also reignited discussions about body-shaming in sports, with many questioning whether it is appropriate to judge athletes based on their physical appearance rather than their performance on the field. While some sports analysts argued that fitness is a crucial aspect of an athlete’s career and should be open to scrutiny, others condemned the unnecessary focus on body image, stating that Rohit Sharma’s track record as a batsman and captain speaks for itself. Former cricketers also weighed in on the controversy, with some calling for more respectful discussions around athletes' fitness rather than personal attacks.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has remained silent on the controversy, choosing not to engage with the political storm surrounding him. The Indian cricket team, focused on its upcoming international fixtures, has not issued any official statement regarding the remarks. However, fans of the Indian captain have come out in strong support of him, with hashtags like #WeStandWithRohit and #RespectRohitSharma trending on social media platforms.
Amid the ongoing debate, some commentators have questioned whether this controversy is being used as a political tool to divert public attention from more pressing national issues. Political analysts have pointed out that such controversies, especially when involving high-profile personalities like cricketers, often take center stage in media discussions, overshadowing other significant topics.
With emotions running high, it remains to be seen whether this controversy will fade away with time or continue to impact the political and sporting discourse in the country. What is clear, however, is that social media has become a powerful battleground where politics, sports, and public opinion collide, making figures like Shama Mohamed and her remarks the subject of intense scrutiny and debate.
