Congress distances from row over Shama Mohamed's remarks: 'Not official party position'

Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the party has asked Shama Mohamed to delete the concerned social media posts and has advised her to exercise greater caution in the future. (PTI/File)

The Congress party on Monday sought to dissociate from the controversy triggered by the remarks by its spokesperson Shama Mohamed referring to Team India skipper Rohit Sharma as a "fat sportsperson".

Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the remarks by Mohamed do not reflect the party's position and that she has been asked to delete the concerned posts from her X handle.

"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. She has been asked to delete the concerned social media posts from X and has been advised to exercise greater caution in the future," Pawan Khera said a post on X.

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.She has been asked to delete the concerned social media posts from X and has been advised to exercise greater
Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) March 3, 2025

The party further said that it holds the contributions by sporting icons in the highest regard and does not support any remarks undermining their legacy.

"The Indian National Congress holds the contributions of sporting icons in the highest regard and does not endorse any statements that undermine their legacy," Khera added in his post.

In a post on her X account on Sunday, Mohamed referred to Rohit Sharma as "overweight" and "the most unimpressive captain India has ever had".

"Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had," read her now-deleted post on X. Mohamed posted the remarks in the midst of the Champions Trophy clash between India and New Zealand on Sunday.

As the remarks triggered backlash, Shama Mohamed appeared to defend her statement citing her rights in a democracy. "I just spoke in a generic manner. I fail to understand how in a democracy, we don't have the right to speak," the Congress spokesperson said.

The remarks also triggered a political backlash with the BJP accusing the Congress of insulting Sharma. "Those who have lost 90 elections under captaincy of Rahul Gandhi are calling captaincy of Rohit Sharma unimpressive! I guess 6 ducks in Delhi and 90 election losses is impressive but winning T20 World Cup isn’t! Rohit has a brilliant track record as captain by the way," BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said.