Congress leader Shama Mohamed has triggered outrage by saying that Mathematics originated through Islam, which prompted fierce backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While in an interview with news agency ANI recently, Mohamed said, "Math has come through Islam."
Her comment generated flak, with BJP's media cell chief drawing a parallel with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Taking a swipe at her remark, he remarked, "I think she has concluded that Rahul Gandhi is not enough and cannot make all the ridiculous statements in the Congress."
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also had his say, saying that a number of Congress leaders could match Rahul Gandhi in making objectionable remarks.
"Well, Amit Malviya, Congress has several members who can match Rahul Gandhi in making absurd statements. But have you heard the chilling, eloquent, and timely silence of the 'secular brigade' in the Congress ecosystem when radical forces attacked Mohammad Shami, who prioritized the nation? They can attack Rohit Sharma for being overweight, talk about Hindu terror and 'Sanatan Samapt,' targeting the peaceful Hindu community, but they fall silent when it comes to Islamic radicals because votebank politics is important," Poonawalla posted on X.
Mohamed had earlier faced criticism for terming Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma "fat" in a now-deleted social media post. At the same time, she had stood up for cricketer Mohammed Shami after he was criticized by a Muslim cleric for failing to keep Roza during Ramadan.
The furore began when Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, the president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, called Shami a "criminal" for not fasting. This was made after Shami was spotted drinking what looked like an energy drink during India's ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia.
Supporting Shami, Mohamed explained on Thursday that Islam does not require fasting under some conditions, especially for players.
"In Islam, nobody says you have to fast when you are playing a sport," she said, further adding, "There are certain exemptions during Ramadan. When we are on the move, we don't have to fast. Mohammed Shami is on the move, playing a sport where he might get extremely thirsty. Nobody says you have to fast when you are playing sports… What is important are your actions. Islam is a very scientific religion," Mohamed said to ANI.
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