Congress leader calls Rohit Sharma 'fat for a sportsman', 'most unimpressive captain'
Triggers outrage
Mumbai: Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed has sparked controversy with her sharp criticism of Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, calling him "fat for a sportsman" and labeling him "the most unimpressive captain India has ever had."
Her now-deleted post on X came after Sharma was dismissed for just 15 runs off 17 balls during India's match against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy. She wrote, "@ImRo45 is fat for a sportsman! Needs to lose weight! And of course, the most unimpressive captain India has ever had." She went on to call him a "mediocre captain and player" who got "lucky" to be India's captain.
The remarks triggered outrage across social media and political circles, with BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticising the Congress, stating, "Shame on Congress! Now they are going after the Indian cricket captain! Do they expect Rahul Gandhi to now play cricket after failing in Indian politics?"
BJP leader Radhika Khera also condemned Shama's comments, stating that Congress had a history of undermining athletes. “This is the same Congress that humiliated athletes for decades, denied them recognition, and now dares to mock a cricketing legend? The party that thrives on nepotism is lecturing a self-made champion?” Khera wrote on X.
Following the backlash, Shama clarified that her tweet was a "generic" comment about a sportsperson's fitness rather than body-shaming. “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 the right. What is wrong in saying? It is a democracy,” she told news agency ANI.
In response to the controversy, the Congress party distanced itself from Shama’s remarks. Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera issued a statement stating, "Dr Shama Mohammed, National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, made certain remarks about a cricketing legend that do not reflect the party's position."
He emphasised that the Indian National Congress holds the contributions of sporting icons in the highest regard and does not endorse any statements that undermine their legacy.
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Ex-army chief Naravane backs RSS leader's remarks on dialogue with Pakistan
Mumbai (PTI): Former army chief Gen (retd) Manoj Naravane on Wednesday supported RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale's stand on the desirability of willingness to have a dialogue with Pakistan, stating that friendship between the two peoples can lead to better bilateral relations.
"Common people live on both sides of the border, with common problems of 'roti, kapda and makan (food, clothing and shelter). Common man has nothing to do with politics. When there is friendship between the two peoples, there will also be friendship between the two nations," Naravane told PTI on the sidelines of an event here.
"It is a right thing. People-to-people contact is important," he added.
People-to-people contact is key to breaking the deadlock with Pakistan and there should always be a window for dialogue, Hosabale said in an interview to PTI Videos on Tuesday. Pakistan's military and political leadership have lost India's confidence and it is time for civil society to lead the way, the RSS leader said.
Naravane said there should be a people-to-people connect between the two countries, be it through 'track two' diplomacy or even a sporting event.
"Even our people should know that those staying across the border are not sworn enemies," the former army chief said.
"Disputes should be resolved through discussion, but this does not mean we cannot use military force. India is a country that speaks the language of peace but we will not hesitate to use force if needed," Naravane added.
VIDEO | Mumbai: On RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale advocating window of dialogue with Pakistan to be kept open, Former Army chief Gen MM Naravane (@ManojNaravane) says, “One important point is that people-to-people connections and contacts are extremely important. Ordinary people… pic.twitter.com/3pMmvynm43
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 13, 2026
