New Delhi [India], March 3: BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday criticized Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed for her “shameful” comments about Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma. Sirsa stated that the Congress party’s mindset has become “very cheap” following Mohamed’s remarks.
“This is a shameful comment made by Shama Mohamed, the official spokesperson of the Congress. It is clear that this is the Congress’s official stand. I feel sad that she is talking like this about the Captain of the biggest and most respected team. Their mindset has become very cheap,” Sirsa told.
BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also weighed in, claiming that the Congress party is attempting to send a message that it will oppose every patriot who contributes positively to the country. “They have an issue that Rohit Sharma, an Indian-winning captain, has done good for the country and defeated New Zealand. This also questions the patriotism of the Congress party,” Bhandari stated. He added, “This is now amply clear in front of the people of India that those who support India are patriotic, and those who do good for India will be opposed by the Congress party; those who speak against the country will be supported.”
In response to the criticism, Congress spokesperson Mohamed clarified her comment on Monday, calling it “generic” and asking, “What is wrong in saying? It is a democracy…”
Mohamed had initially posted on X, later deleting it, stating that the Indian cricket team’s captain needed to “lose weight” and calling him the country’s “most unimpressive captain.” Her remarks followed Rohit Sharma’s dismissal for 15 runs off 17 balls during a Champions Trophy match against New Zealand on Sunday.
Defending her tweet, Mohamed told, “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…”
Later, Congress distanced itself from Mohamed’s remarks. Congress leader Pawan Khera clarified that the party did not endorse her views, and she had been instructed to delete the post. “Shama Mohamed, 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.
He further emphasized, “The Indian National Congress holds the contributions of sporting icons in the highest regard and does not endorse any statements that undermine their legacy.”