In a significant judicial move, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has initiated the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Kunwar Vijay Shah, the Tribal Affairs Minister and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The court acted suo motu following Shah’s derogatory remarks aimed at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a distinguished Indian Army officer known for her involvement in Operation Sindoor.
The controversy ignited when Shah allegedly referred to Colonel Qureshi as a “sister of terrorists.” This incendiary comment drew widespread condemnation from various political factions, prompting the court to recognize prima facie offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), thus necessitating a police investigation.
The uproar intensified as videos surfaced online, capturing Shah making provocative claims. He stated, “Those who wiped the vermilion off our daughters’ foreheads… we sent their sister to teach them a lesson.” He further added, “Since Modi ji could not remove their clothes, he sent a sister of their community to strip them naked,” remarks that were met with outrage for their communal and misogynistic overtones, especially given Colonel Qureshi’s role in addressing the media following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) voiced its disapproval of Shah’s statements, labeling them “extremely unfortunate” and a grave insult to women serving in the Indian Armed Forces. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar emphasized the need to respect women in uniform, proudly acknowledging Colonel Qureshi as a “proud daughter of the nation.”
In the face of mounting public backlash, Shah attempted to clarify his comments and subsequently issued an apology, expressing willingness to apologize multiple times if his words had offended societal and religious sentiments.
The incident did not go unnoticed by the Congress party, which swiftly demanded Shah’s immediate resignation. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge termed his remarks shameful and vulgar, seeing them as a direct affront to the Indian Armed Forces. Furthermore, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari lodged a formal complaint questioning why the BJP had remained silent on such a serious issue. Umang Singhar, the Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh, reinforced the notion that army officers should be viewed without a religious lens.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a key figure in the tri-services press team for Operation Sindoor, has emerged as a symbol of unity against terrorism, serving alongside notable figures such as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
The High Court’s decision to take action highlights a rare instance of judicial intervention in politically sensitive matters, sending a clear message of zero tolerance for hate speech, particularly when directed at the armed forces and female officers.
