Shama Mohamed, a prominent national spokesperson for the Indian National Congress, recently sparked controversy by criticizing Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness and leadership.
In a now-deleted social media post, Mohamed described Sharma as “fat for a sportsman” and labeled him one of India’s most “unimpressive” captains.
This remark drew widespread criticism from political leaders, cricket fans, and even her own party.
Background of Shama Mohamed
Shama Mohamed was born on May 17, 1973, in Cherukallayi, near New Mahe, Kannur district, Kerala. She completed her primary education at the Indian School in Kuwait before returning to India in 1990.
Mohamed pursued a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from Yenepoya Dental College in Mangaluru, graduating between 1992 and 1997. Before entering politics, she worked briefly as a journalist with Zee TV.
Mohamed joined the Indian National Congress in 2015 and was appointed as a national spokesperson in July of the same year.
In December 2018, she was elevated to the role of a national media panelist for the party, making her a prominent figure in political debates and discussions.
Shama Mohamed-Rohit Sharma Controversy
Mohamed’s comments on Rohit Sharma’s physique were made ahead of India’s high-profile matches in the Champions Trophy.
In her post, she suggested that Sharma needed to lose weight and questioned his legacy as a captain compared to Indian cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Kapil Dev.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly condemned Mohamed’s remarks, accusing the Congress of “body-shaming” a World Cup winner.
Despite the backlash, Mohamed defended her statement, claiming it was not intended as body-shaming but rather a general observation about a sportsperson’s fitness.
Reaction from the Congress Party
The Congress Party reprimanded Mohamed for her remarks and instructed her to delete the social media posts.
The party emphasized that her comments did not reflect their stance and advised her to exercise greater caution in the future.
Congress leaders, including MP Rajani Patil, expressed disapproval of body-shaming and stated that the party holds sporting icons in high regard.
