A past social media post by Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed about Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has resurfaced following her recent criticism and alleged fat-shaming of Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
Amidst widespread backlash over her remarks on Rohit Sharma, netizens have dug up a 2018 post by Shama Mohamed in which she had criticized Virat Kohli. The post referred to an incident where Kohli, responding to a fan's comment about preferring English and Australian batsmen, had suggested that those who did not support Indian players should leave the country.
Mohamed had then pointed out what she saw as hypocrisy in Kohli’s statement, highlighting his endorsements of foreign brands, marriage in Italy, and admiration for international athletes, while simultaneously discouraging others from appreciating foreign cricketers.
With her post now going viral, several social media users have accused her of having issues with all Indian cricketers. Some users defended Kohli, emphasizing his contributions to Indian cricket.
Following India's victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy semifinal, Mohamed sparked fresh controversy by calling Rohit Sharma “fat for a sportsman” and questioning his capabilities as a captain.
She stated that Sharma, who is nearing 38 years of age, needed to lose weight and called him "the most unimpressive captain India has ever had." However, after facing severe backlash, she deleted her posts following a reprimand from her party.
Her remarks drew strong criticism from various political leaders, with BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari condemning her comments and accusing the Congress of disrespecting Indian cricketers. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also denounced her statements, calling them “deeply shameful” and undermining the dedication of Indian athletes.
In response to the outrage, Mohamed defended her remarks, stating that they were about fitness standards in sports and not intended as body shaming. She further clarified that her comments were personal opinions and not reflective of the Congress party’s stance. The Congress party, distancing itself from the controversy, confirmed that Mohamed was asked to delete the tweets.
The incident has fueled heated debates on social media, with divided opinions on whether criticism of a sportsperson’s fitness crosses the line into body-shaming or remains a valid point of discussion.
