The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed deleted her post on X (formerly Twitter) criticizing Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness after facing backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and social media users. The controversy erupted when Mohamed made comments regarding Sharma’s physique, labeling him as “overweight” and questioning his fitness as a professional sportsperson.
Following the uproar, Congress leader Pawan Khera confirmed that the party asked Mohamed to remove the post, which had sparked outrage among cricket fans and political circles alike. Many BJP leaders and supporters condemned her remarks, accusing her of unnecessary personal attacks against the Indian captain.
In response to the backlash, Mohamed defended her comments, stating that she did not intend to “body-shame” Rohit Sharma but was merely expressing concern over the fitness standards of professional athletes.
“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 to express my opinion,” Mohamed clarified.
She further added that her intention was not to demean Sharma but to emphasize the importance of peak physical fitness for an athlete leading the Indian cricket team on an international stage.
BJP leaders and supporters strongly criticized Mohamed’s remarks, with many accusing her of engaging in personal attacks rather than discussing relevant political or sporting issues. Several social media users defended Sharma, pointing out his exceptional leadership skills, consistency in performance, and contributions to Indian cricket.
BJP spokespersons were quick to call out Congress, alleging that the party was resorting to personal attacks against national figures rather than engaging in constructive discourse. Some also accused the Congress spokesperson of undermining an Indian sports icon at a time when the team is preparing for crucial international tournaments.
The controversy has sparked a broader debate on social media about body-shaming in sports and whether public figures should be scrutinized for their physical appearances. While some users agreed that professional athletes should maintain peak fitness, others criticized Mohamed’s remarks as unnecessary and irrelevant, given Sharma’s on-field performances.
Many also highlighted that fitness in sports goes beyond weight and physical appearance, with endurance, agility, and skill playing crucial roles in a cricketer’s success.
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