Mon Mar 03 08:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Congress Spokesperson’s Criticism of Rohit Sharma Sparks Uproar, Party Distances Itself
**NEW DELHI** – A controversial social media post by Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed criticizing Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness and captaincy has sparked a major backlash and forced the party to distance itself from her remarks.
Mohamed’s post, which referred to Sharma as “fat” and “the most unimpressive captain India has ever had,” was swiftly deleted following a strong reaction from Sharma’s fans and the BJP. The post, published during an India-New Zealand match, drew accusations that it reflected a “Congress Emergency mindset” from BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, who questioned whether Rahul Gandhi would now take up cricket after failing in politics.
While Mohamed initially defended her comments, claiming a right to free speech, the Congress high command intervened, ordering her to remove the posts. She subsequently deleted all her related social media posts, though she has yet to issue a formal apology.
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera stated that Mohamed’s remarks do not reflect the party’s position and that the party holds sporting icons in high regard. He confirmed that Mohamed had been instructed to remove her posts and exercise greater caution in the future.
The controversy highlights the sensitivities surrounding Indian cricket and the potential political ramifications of criticizing prominent sporting figures. Mohamed’s further criticism of Sharma’s performance compared to past captains like Ganguly and Kohli also fueled the online debate. The incident leaves the Congress facing damage control in the cricket-mad nation.
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