What Is Wrong In Saying? Congress Leader Shama Mohammed Defends Body Shaming Comments On Rohit Sharma

After coming under attack over an old social media post where she called Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma as "fat", Congress leader Shama Mohammed has now defended her remarks, saying she has he right to express her views.

What's Wrong In It?

Speaking to news agency ANI, Shama said that it was a generic statement and said that she had felt Sharma as overweight compared to her earlier captains.

She said, "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 been attacked for no reason. When I compared him with previous captains, I put in a statement. I have the right. What is wrong in saying? It is a democracy..."

In an old social media post, the Congress leader described Rohit Sharma as "fat" and a "mediocre captain". "Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Needs to lose weight! And of course, the most unimpressive captain India has ever had!" she said in a now-deleted post.

Congress' Response

On the other hand, Congress directed Shama to delete the body-shaming comments and advised to exercise greater caution in the future. "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," Congress leader Pawan Khera said.

Khera stated that the party holds sports personalities in high regard.

However, the party will seek a response on the issue. Congress MP Rajani Patil said, "I personally and the party also will not approve of body shaming anyone. Talking this way about a sportsperson who represents the country is not right. The party will seek a response from her on this," Patil added.