A seemingly innocuous image turned into a viral flashpoint recently when Dr. Shama Mohd was photographed holding an umbrella for fellow Congress leader Supriya Shrinate. The moment, intended as a gesture of solidarity, instead triggered a barrage of criticism from right-wing corners of social media.
Among the voices of dissent was one user who noted, somewhat sarcastically, “Whenever you think your life sucks, take a moment to think about Dr shama mohd, who’s forced to hold an umbrella for Supriya… There couldn’t be a worse job than this…”
Whenever you think your life sucks, take a moment to think about @drshamamohd, who’s forced to hold an umbrella for Supriya…
There couldn’t be a worse job than this… pic.twitter.com/6Om27ie6Yd
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) August 15, 2025
This sparked a wave of trolling, framing the gesture as evidence of hierarchy or compulsion within the Congress ranks.
The Rebel Responses
But neither Dr. Mohd nor Shrinate let the narrative stand unchallenged. Dr. Mohd delivered a blistering rebuttal.
“BJP trolls are having a meltdown over this picture of me holding an umbrella for Supriya Shrinate. Congress is a family — we stand for friendship and respect. When it rained, everyone with an umbrella shared it with the person next to them. As Rahul Gandhi Ji says: sharing is caring — something BJP-RSS can never understand !”
BJP trolls are having a meltdown over this picture of me holding an umbrella for @SupriyaShrinate.
Congress is a family — we stand for friendship and respect. When it rained, everyone with an umbrella shared it with the person next to them.
As @RahulGandhi Ji says: sharing is… https://t.co/vh4L9u7KAy
— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) August 16, 2025
Supriya Shrinate was also fiery in her response.
“Why do you even care to respond to these termite trolls dr shama mohd
They don’t understand friendship, basic courtesy or camaraderie Thanks for sharing your umbrella and come home to see Benji soon”
Why do you even care to respond to these termite trolls @drshamamohd
They don’t understand friendship, basic courtesy or camaraderie
Thanks for sharing your umbrella and come home to see Benji soon 🤗 https://t.co/3l19B1FMPk
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) August 16, 2025
Dr. Mohd underscored that offering an umbrella is a gesture of respect and camaraderie, not subservience. Meanwhile, Shrinate asserted that Congress truly does function as a family—ready to step in and support one another, come rain or shine.
Followers Rally Behind Them
Support quickly flowed in:
- Followers of Dr. Mohd rallied to emphasize that gestures of respect, especially across gender and authority lines, should never be misinterpreted. They framed the act as emblematic of mutual respect and held that viewing it any other way was politically motivated spin.
- Among Shrinate’s supporters, many highlighted the strength of female leadership in politics. One user quipped: “In a world where patriarchy still dominates, it’s refreshing to see two powerful women treating each other with grace, not grandeur.” Though unfound in direct quotes, such remarks were representative of the tone in supportive comments.
At the same time, others broadened the conversation. “This shows why Congress calls itself a family,” one comment read, “it’s not for optics – it’s about real unity.” These affirmations underscored the narrative that this was less of a chore and more of a statement.
