Bhopal: The division bench of Jabalpur High Court has suo motu directed the registration of a case against BJP leader Vijay Shah over his controversial remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
The comments of Shah, who happens to be the Tribal Affairs Minister of BJP-run Madhya Pradesh government, were perceived as derogatory and communal in nature, sparking widespread outrage and political backlash.
Hence the court intervened and initiated legal proceedings under criminal sections.
What actually were the BJP leader’s remarks?
“They (referring to Pakistan) had taken away the sindoor of our sisters and daughters, and we sent their own sister to give it back to them in kind… They undressed Hindus and killed them, and Modi ji sent their sister to return the favour. We couldn’t undress them, so we sent a daughter from their community… You widowed sisters of our community, so a sister of your community will strip you naked. Modi ji proved that the daughters of your caste can be sent to Pakistan to take revenge,” the minister said while speaking at a cultural event in Mhow.
The ‘sister of your community’ referred to Colonel Qureshi, who along with another female office Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, was chosen by the Indian Armed Forces leadership to brief the nation about Operation Sindoor along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Congress flags minister’s comments, registers FIR
The Congress flagged Shah’s offensive remarks, sharing a video on Tuesday in which the minister is purportedly heard speaking in Hindi.
MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari on Wednesday filed a complaint against Shah over his remarks on Col Qureshi.
“We have registered an FIR against Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah. In his address to the nation, PM Modi said that he salutes the valour of the armed forces, and he also said that the whole country stands in support of the armed forces in this difficult time. A minister from Madhya Pradesh insulted the officers of the army and sisters. Why is the BJP silent on this?” Patwari said.
“If he is not dismissed within 24 hours, we will lodge FIRs against Kunwar Vijay Shah in all the police stations of the country,” Patwari added.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said a minister of the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh made “extremely insulting, shameful and vulgar remarks” about Col Qureshi, and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should “immediately dismiss such a minister”.
Minister’s apology, damage control
Following the controversy, the minister sought to defuse the situation with an explanation and apology.
“Sofiya has brought glory to India by rising above caste and religion. She is more respected than our own sister. I salute her for her service to the nation. We cannot even think of insulting her in our dreams. Still, if my words have hurt society and religion, then I am ready to apologise ten times,” Shah said.
But the damage has already been done, and it remains to be seen what price he pays for his insensitive comments.
