The Congress party found itself in damage-control mode on Monday after its spokesperson, Shama Mohamed, made controversial remarks about Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma. Her social media posts, which criticized Sharma’s physique and leadership, sparked outrage and prompted the party to issue a formal reprimand.
Congress Distances Itself from Mohamed’s Comments
Mohamed’s late-night post on X (formerly Twitter) did not sit well with cricket fans or political leaders. She described Sharma as “fat for a sportsman” and called him “the most unimpressive captain India has ever had.” Her criticism came at a time when the Indian team remains undefeated in the ongoing Champions Trophy, making the remarks even more contentious.
The Congress was quick to react. Pawan Khera, the party’s media and publicity department head, stated that Mohamed’s comments did not reflect the party’s views. “Dr. Shama Mohamed, National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, made certain remarks about a cricketing legend that do not reflect the party’s position,” Khera clarified.
Mohamed was instructed to delete her posts and exercise greater caution in the future. The party emphasized that it respects and values India’s sporting icons.
BJP Leaders Lash Out at Congress
Unsurprisingly, the controversy provided ample fodder for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Several BJP leaders seized the opportunity to criticize the Congress over Mohamed’s remarks.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla took a dig at the opposition party, linking Sharma’s captaincy record to Congress’s electoral performance. “Those who have lost 90 elections under the captaincy of Rahul Gandhi are calling Rohit Sharma unimpressive!” he posted on X. “Rohit has a brilliant track record as captain, by the way.”
Delhi minister and BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also condemned the remarks, saying, “It is very shameful that an official spokesperson of the Congress is giving such a statement. This is Congress’ mentality—they feel that only one person is fit for everything, and that is Rahul Gandhi.”
Public Outrage and Cricket Fans’ Reactions
Social media erupted with criticism against Mohamed’s comments. Many fans defended Sharma, highlighting his achievements as captain and batsman.
- Sharma led India to victory in the 2023 ICC T20 World Cup, silencing critics questioning his leadership.
- Under his captaincy, the Indian team secured an unbeaten streak in the Champions Trophy.
- With over 17,000 international runs, Sharma is regarded as one of the finest Indian batters of his generation.
Supporters pointed out that fitness alone does not define a player’s success, and many legendary cricketers, including Shane Warne and Inzamam-ul-Haq, were not known for lean physiques but delivered exceptional performances.
Congress’s Balancing Act
The Congress leadership acted swiftly to control the damage, ensuring Mohamed’s posts were taken down before the issue could escalate further. Given the party’s struggles in recent elections, avoiding unnecessary controversy remains a priority.
However, political analysts believe the incident highlights a larger issue within Congress—its inability to manage its digital messaging effectively. While individual spokespersons enjoy freedom of expression, unchecked remarks can easily snowball into public relations disasters, especially in the hyper-sensitive social media era.
A Cautionary Tale for Political Figures
The episode serves as a reminder that public figures, especially political spokespersons, must be careful with their words. With social media acting as a double-edged sword, even a single misstep can lead to severe backlash. The Congress party’s decision to swiftly reprimand Mohamed signals its intent to avoid further controversy.
For Rohit Sharma, the controversy is unlikely to be a distraction. With the Champions Trophy in full swing, his focus will remain on leading India to yet another title. Whether Mohamed’s remarks were an impulsive personal opinion or a calculated political jab, the outcome remains the same—Congress found itself in yet another avoidable controversy.
