Indian politician's tweet for Rohit Sharma sparks outrage
Entertainment
Her post taken for fat-shaming the Indian skipper
(Web Desk) - A fat-shaming row broke out in Indian cricket when the side’s captain Rohit Sharma was accused by a politician of being “fat for a sportsperson”.
Sharma, who turns 38 in April, is currently leading the Indian cricket team in the ongoing Champions Trophy.
However, he was criticised for his weight by Congress party spokesperson Shama Mohamed.
In a now-deleted tweet, she had said: “Need to lose weight, and of course, the most unimpressive captain India has ever had!”
Shama Mohamed’s post quickly went viral and sparked outrage.
Congress said her tweet did not reflect the party’s position and that Shama Mohamed had been asked to delete it.
Rohit Sharma also found support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
He also received support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which said such comments could have an adverse effect on the team as they prepare for the semi-final of the Champions Trophy against Australia in Dubai.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said: “It is very unfortunate that these derogatory, demoralising comments are being made when the team is in the crucial stage of a global tournament.”
Shama Mohamed defended her comment, saying her post was a generic one on the fitness of a sportsperson and did not amount to body-shaming.
She said: “I felt he is overweight and tweeted about it. I have been attacked for no reason.”
