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Case Filed Against Madhya Pradesh Minister Following Remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

Vijay Shah faces court-ordered FIR for derogatory, communal remarks against Army’s Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

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Case Filed Against Madhya Pradesh Minister Following Remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against state Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah over his offensive remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The court took suo motu cognizance of Shah’s remarks, which have evoked widespread criticism for their communal and sexist color.

Controversial Speech at Public Event

In a cultural function organised in Mhow on Tuesday, Vijay Shah mentioned Colonel Qureshi while delivering a speech that invited instant criticism. While speaking to an audience that consisted of Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur and former Cabinet Minister Usha Thakur, Shah said,”Terrorists had ‘wiped the sindoor of our sisters and daughters, and we sent their own sister to return it to them in kind’.

He went on, “They robbed Hindus and murdered them, and Modi-ji instructed their sister to repay the kindness. We were unable to disrobe them, so we dispatched a daughter of your community. You widowed sisters of our community, so a sister of your community will disrobe you. Modi-ji demonstrated that daughters of your caste can be dispatched to Pakistan to avenge. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, have been the face of the armed forces at media briefings of Operation Sindoor. The officers often accompanied Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during press updates, and became the voice of India’s military campaign in the public eye.

Public and Political Backlash

Vijay Shah’s remarks have been condemned by many army veterans as well as politicians. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called for his immediate removal. The incident sparked a larger debate regarding public figures using communal language.

Minister Gives Apology Amid Criticism

After the furor, Shah first stated that his words had been taken out of context. But subsequently, he made a public apology, stating, “Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is dearer to me than my sister because she overcame caste and community and took revenge. I did not mean to cause any offence. Nevertheless, if someone felt offended, I apologise not once but ten times.”

Court Orders Swift Police Action

In response to this public outcry, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the Director General of Police to register a case against the minister under proper legal provisions. The court ruling lends legal potency to the furore and sends out the message of responsibility for communal as well as sexist sloganeering by public authorities.

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