Shama Mohamed: Congress Spokesperson Under Fire for Remarks on Rohit Sharma

Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohamed has come under criticism for her remarks about Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma. Her comments, widely perceived as fat-shaming, have sparked a backlash from cricket fans and political rivals alike. Mohamed later deleted her post on X (formerly Twitter), but the controversy continues to gain traction. This incident has once again put Mohamed in the spotlight, raising questions about her political conduct and past controversies. Here’s a detailed look at her remarks, the reactions they elicited, and her political journey so far. The Controversial Remarks on Rohit Sharma During India’s Champions Trophy match against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 15 runs off 17 balls. Following his performance, Shama Mohamed took to social media, posting a now-deleted tweet in which she called Sharma “fat for a sportsman” and claimed he was the “most unimpressive captain India has ever had.” Her remarks drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and cricket fans. Many accused her of body-shaming the Indian captain, while others pointed out that her critique of Sharma’s leadership was unfounded given his accomplishments in international cricket. Congress distanced itself from Mohamed’s remarks, with Pawan Khera, the party’s media and publicity department head, clarifying that her comments did not reflect the party’s official position. Speaking to ANI, Mohamed defended herself, stating, “It was a generic tweet about the fitness of a sportsperson. It was not body-shaming. I have always believed that a sportsperson should be fit, and I felt he was a bit overweight, so I tweeted about that. I have the right to express my opinion in a democracy.” Who is Shama Mohamed?

• Shama Mohamed is a national spokesperson and media panellist for the Indian National Congress.
• She was born on May 17, 1973, in Cherukallayi, Kannur, Kerala.
• A practising dentist by profession, she completed her Bachelor of Dental Sciences at Yenepoya University, Mangaluru.
• Before entering politics, she briefly worked as a journalist with Zee TV.
• Mohamed joined the Congress party in 2015 and was appointed its national spokesperson the same year.
• In December 2018, she was given the role of national media panellist for the party.
• She is married and has two children.

Past Controversies This is not the first time Mohamed has found herself at the center of controversy. In April last year, Kerala police registered a case against her over alleged hate speech during an election campaign in the Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency. While addressing a public meeting in Kuttikkattoor, Mohamed allegedly stated that if the BJP returned to power, places of worship belonging to minority communities would be at risk. The Election Commission forwarded a complaint against her, leading to a case under IPC Section 153 (provocation with intent to cause a riot) and Section 125 of the Representation of People’s Act (promoting enmity between classes in connection with elections). Mohamed maintained that her statement was taken out of context and that she had no intention of hurting religious sentiments. Political Reactions BJP leaders seized the opportunity to criticize Mohamed and the Congress party. BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla mocked the Congress, stating, “Those who have lost 90 elections under the captaincy of Rahul Gandhi are calling Rohit Sharma unimpressive! I guess six ducks in Delhi and 90 election losses are impressive, but winning the T20 World Cup isn’t!” Delhi BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also condemned Mohamed’s remarks, calling them shameful and suggesting that the Congress views only Rahul Gandhi as fit for any role. Shama Mohamed’s comments on Rohit Sharma have added to her list of political missteps, attracting widespread criticism. While she defends her remarks as an opinion on sports fitness, many see them as unnecessary and offensive. This controversy highlights the growing influence of social media in politics, where a single tweet can spark nationwide debates. As she continues her political journey, Mohamed will need to navigate such controversies carefully to maintain credibility within her party and the public eye. Meanwhile, the Congress leadership’s decision to distance itself from her comments signals the party’s cautious approach to handling public relations in the digital age.   (With inputs from agencies)