Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Condemns Congress and TMC for Fat-Shaming Rohit Sharma: ‘Shameful and Pathetic’

Rohit Sharma Faces Fat-Shaming: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, along with the BCCI, expressed support for ‘Hitman’ Rohit Sharma in the wake of fat-shaming remarks from Congress and TMC. The BJP leader criticized Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed and Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy for questioning Rohit Sharma’s leadership, labeling their comments as “deeply shameful” and “completely pathetic.”

Rohit, aged 38, had a modest performance, scoring 15 runs off 17 balls during India’s Champions Trophy clash against New Zealand on Sunday.

Targeting the Congress spokesperson, he expressed on ‘X’, “Congress and TMC should refrain from interfering in the lives of athletes, as they are fully capable of managing their professional responsibilities.

“The statements made by representatives from these parties, engaging in body shaming and questioning an athlete’s position in the squad, are not just deeply shameful; they are also utterly pathetic.”

Shama Mohamed Fat-Shames Rohit Sharma

In a post on X, Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed asserted that Rohit Sharma needs to shed some weight. “@ImRo45 is overweight for an athlete! He needs to lose weight! Plus, he is undoubtedly the most underwhelming captain India has ever seen! (sic)” she stated.

Following the backlash, the Congress leader removed the post from her X account.

“This is my personal opinion; do not involve my party in this matter. Isn’t it acceptable to comment on someone’s fitness? I was merely commenting on his fitness because I am fit… why is this such a big deal? (sic)” she told reporters subsequently.

Congress Takes Action Against Shama Mohamed

The Congress party reprimanded Shama Mohamed following the controversy surrounding her social media remarks about Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, instructing her to delete the posts and exercise more caution in the future.

The Congress clarified that Shama Mohamed’s comments regarding the cricketing icon do not represent the party’s stance.

TMC MP Saugata Roy Supports Shama Mohamed’s Remarks

In an unexpected turn, Congress leader Shama Mohamed garnered backing for her controversial comments on Rohit Sharma from Trinamool MP Saugata Roy, who argued that the Indian captain “should not even be on the team.”

“This isn’t about politics; it pertains to cricket. Scoring a century once every two years and frequently getting out early does not justify his place in the squad. He should not hold authority in the team. The Congress leader is right in asserting this. Yes, he is overweight, but it seems people overlook that,” Roy commented.

The Trinamool MP further claimed that players like Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer have the potential to be future captains.

“When discussing a fit and capable captain, there are numerous emerging players showing impressive performances. If we focus on fitness, someone like Bumrah, if fit, could be an excellent captain. Shreyas Iyer could also become a potential captain. However, Rohit Sharma should not have a spot in the team,” Roy opined.

BCCI Stands by Rohit Sharma

The BCCI expressed criticism towards the remarks, referring to them as demoralizing and urging individuals to refrain from such statements. This controversy arises during India’s participation in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy.

NDTV reported BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia as stating, “It is incredibly unfortunate for a responsible figure to make such a trivial comment while the team is engaged in such a critical ICC tournament.”

While Rohit’s batting may have been inconsistent in the ongoing Champions Trophy, with scores of 41 (against Bangladesh), 20 (against Pakistan), and 15 (against New Zealand), his leadership has been commendable. India has successfully advanced to the semi-finals following formidable victories during the group stage of the multi-nation event.