A minister in Madhya Pradesh ignited controversy with comments largely viewed as an inappropriate mention of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the senior Indian Army officer frequently seen with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during media briefings on Operation Sindoor.
Vijay Shah, a leader of the BJP and Minister for Tribal Welfare, delivered controversial remarks during a public address, leading to strong backlash from opposition groups and military veterans.
Shah made communal remarks on Colonel Sofia
In a speech given by Shah at an assembly near Indore, he seemed to liken Col Qureshi’s position in the military to a communal and gender-based affront directed at Pakistan and its citizens. The Congress has called for his swift removal from the state cabinet, whereas Shah has since tried to ease the situation by extending several apologies.
“Sister Sofia has honored India by transcending caste and religion. She holds greater respect than our own sister. I commend her for her dedication to the country. We can’t even imagine offending her in our dreams. However, if my statements have offended society and religion, I am ready to apologize ten times,” he stated.
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In his address, Shah linked the terrorist incident in Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities to Operation Sindoor. Referring indirectly but clearly to Col Qureshi, he asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi dispatched “a sister from their [the terrorists’] community” via an Indian Air Force plane to “humiliate them” and “impart a lesson.”
Shah’s comments sparked outrage
Col Qureshi, together with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, has represented official press briefings explaining Operation Sindoor.
The Congress party described Shah’s comments as “disparaging, sectarian, and disgraceful.” Party president Mallikarjun Kharge released a statement on social media platform X (previously Twitter), calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dismiss Shah without delay.
“A minister of the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh has made a very derogatory, shameful and cheap remark about our brave daughter Colonel Sofia Qureshi. The terrorists of Pahalgam wanted to divide the country, but the country was united during the entire ‘Operation Sindoor’ to give a befitting reply to the terrorists,” Kharge posted on X.
