Last Updated:March 03, 2025, 09:50 IST

After a Congress spokesperson fat-shamed Rohit Sharma and questioned his captaincy, the BJP hit back, stating that Congress is not a “Mohabbat ki Dukan” but rather “Nafrat ke Bhaijan”.

Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed criticised Indian captain Rohit Sharma, calling him “overweight” and “the most unimpressive captain India has ever had”. Her remarks came after Rohit was dismissed for 15 runs off 17 balls in yesterday’s Champions Trophy match against New Zealand, which India won by 44 runs. Mohamed’s comment has ignited a heated debate on social media, with many including BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla responding, claiming that those who once opposed the country are now targeting the Indian cricket team.

He went on to say that the Congress, which brands itself as “Mohabbat ki dukan [shop of love]”, is actually “Nafrat ke bhaijan [Messengers of hate]”.

What did Congress Spokesperson say?

“Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had!

BJP lashes out at Congress

Poonawalla mocked Congress, pointing out that those who lost 90 elections under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership have no ground to call Rohit “unimpressive”.

Those who have lost 90 elections under the captaincy of Rahul Gandhi are calling the captaincy of Rohit Sharma unimpressive!” said Poonawalla. He added, “I guess 6 ducks in Delhi and 90 election losses is impressive but winning the T20 World Cup isn’t! Rohit has a brilliant track record as captain by the way!”

“While opposing India, its institutions, and its armed forces – while repeatedly saying they are against the Indian state – Congress has now turned against the Indian team as well,” said Poonawalla.

He added, “The kind of remarks Congress leaders have made about Rohit Sharma’s body are indeed body shaming and fat shaming, but they also prove that Congress is not ‘Mohabbat ki dukan [shop of love]’, but rather ‘Nafrat ke bhaijan [Messengers of hate]’ – in fact, ‘Apmaan ke bhaijaan [Messengers of Insult]’.”

Poonawalla compared Congress’s electoral failures under Rahul Gandhi to their criticism of Rohit Sharma, highlighting the irony of questioning a successful captain while facing repeated defeats themselves.

“They are irritated and disgusted by anything that symbolises India’s success. Those questioning Rohit Sharma’s captaincy and track record are the same ones who lost 90 elections under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership; the same leadership that resulted in six ‘ducks’ in Delhi,” Poonawalla further said.

“Take care of your own ducks and your own captain. There isn’t even a situation to judge what is impressive or unimpressive there. And yet, the person under whom we have won 100 out of 140 matches, and under whose captaincy we won the T20 World Cup, is being called unimpressive. This reflects Congress’s core mindset. They oppose India, its institutions, and any success or achievement of the country. That’s why, when India defeated Pakistan and New Zealand, the Congress party was furious and started spewing venom against the nation,” he concluded.

‘Judge a player by runs, not kilos’: Rajdeep Sardesai

“Most ‘unimpressive’ captain India has ever had Dr Shama Mohamed? Really ma’am, where did that completely bizarre remark come from?” asked journalist Rajdeep Sardesai.

He added, “I have played a little cricket and can tell you purely as a long time observer that Rohit Sharma makes some first class decisions that show he has a superb cricket brain. He has won multiple IPL titles as captain and has led a white ball team that’s the best in the world. IMHO, Rohit Sharma has been a wonderful captain for Team India, someone who leads from the front and plays a fearless brand of cricket in white ball games.”

“On weight, judge a player by the runs he scores and not his kilos please,” Sardesai went on to say.

The BJP wasn’t alone in criticising Congress. Social media users also slammed the party for fat-shaming the Indian captain.

Here’s how the Internet reacted to Congress’s scathing attack on Rohit Sharma:

“For a ‘fat’ sportsman, he has more victories than Rahul Gandhi, and the ‘fat’ sportsman is able to rally confidence not just in his team but of the entire India. This is the kind of tolerance a party representative has where physical appearance trumps talent, says a lot!” said one social media user Harish.

Another added, “Rahul Gandhi: Flexing those muscles, but still can’t flex a win.”

“Rohit Sharma 72% win percentage in all formats! Rahul Gandhi 6% win percentage in 100 elections,” commented a third.

A fourth, who is not a fan of the player, posted, “That’s absolutely not acceptable to say to one of the country’s best white ball player. And with that same body he had scored tons of runs. Respect isn’t needed, at least don’t degrade the players.”

This, however, is not the first time that Indian Captain Rohit Sharma has been fat-shamed. Former South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan raised concerns about Rohit Sharma’s fitness and even compared him to Virat Kohli.

“Look at Rohit, then at Virat. Notice the difference in their physical condition. Rohit is overweight, and not a long-term cricketer anymore. Rohit is not in a good physical condition to play in a four or a five-match Test series,” Cullinan told InsideSport in December last year.