BY Navin Upadhyay
The controversy surrounding Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah’s derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer, has ignited a firestorm of condemnation. The Jabalpur High Court’s swift intervention, ordering an FIR against Shah for his “gutter language” and invoking stringent legal provisions, underscores the gravity of his actions. Shah’s comments, laced with communal, sexist, and inflammatory undertones, not only insulted a decorated officer but also undermined the armed forces’ integrity and the nation’s unity.
In light of precedents where lesser offenses led to severe repercussions—such as YouTube channels being taken off air, websites blocked, and individuals arrested for derogatory remarks against the country or its forces—Shah’s continued tenure as a minister is untenable. He must be sacked or compelled to resign for the following reasons.
1. Undermining National Unity and the Armed Forces
Shah’s remarks, as quoted by the Jabalpur High Court, referred to Colonel Qureshi as “the sister of the terrorists who carried out the killings of 26 innocent Indians at Pahalgam.” This statement is not merely offensive but dangerous, as it imputes separatist motives to a Muslim officer serving the nation with distinction. The court rightly noted that such rhetoric “encourages feelings of separatist activities” and violates the constitutional spirit of unity and fraternity. The Indian Army is a symbol of discipline, sacrifice, and secularism, transcending caste, creed, and religion. By targeting Qureshi’s identity and linking her to terrorists, Shah struck at the very ethos of the armed forces, an institution the court described as “the last bastion of integrity” in the country.
Compare this to past instances where individuals faced severe consequences for far less egregious remarks. In Assam, people have been arrested for making degrading comments against the nation or its forces. Social media posts questioning the army’s actions or national integrity have led to swift legal action under laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Shah’s public, communal attack on a serving officer, made in the presence of other BJP leaders, is exponentially graver. Allowing him to remain in office risks normalizing such divisive rhetoric, eroding public trust in both the government and the military.
Utterly derogatory, communal and sexist remark made by a BJP MP minister Kunwar Vijay Shah against Col Sofia Quereshi. . And it wasn’t off the cuff either (don’t miss the applause from his chamchas on stage) . Shocking beyond belief. What is the use of ‘nationalist’ flag waving… pic.twitter.com/pZ8VboyAoV
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) May 13, 2025
2. Legal Accountability: A Prima Facie Case of Serious Offenses
The Jabalpur High Court’s invocation of Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita, which addresses acts endangering India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity, and Section 196 of the Indian Penal Code, concerning the promotion of enmity between communities, signals the severity of Shah’s actions. The former carries a potential life sentence, reflecting the state’s zero-tolerance policy toward threats to national cohesion. The court’s directive to file an FIR by the evening of May 14, 2025, with the threat of contempt proceedings against the police chief, underscores the urgency of holding Shah accountable.
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Contrast this with cases where YouTube channels and websites were blocked for content deemed offensive or harmful to national interests. For instance, channels critical of government policies or spreading unverified claims were taken off air under the Information Technology Act. Individuals making inflammatory remarks online have faced arrests, often without the public platform or responsibility Shah holds as a minister. If private citizens and media outlets face such repercussions, a minister—who wields significant influence and is expected to uphold constitutional values—cannot be held to a lesser standard. Shah’s apology, offered only after backlash and qualified by claims of being “taken out of context,” does little to mitigate the damage or absolve him of legal and moral responsibility.
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3. Public Office Demands Higher Standards
As a minister, Shah is not merely a public figure but a representative of the state, entrusted with upholding the Constitution and fostering social harmony. His remarks, delivered at a cultural event in Mhow before an audience that included Union Minister Savitri Thakur and other BJP leaders, were not a private lapse but a public display of bigotry. The gendered and communal nature of his comments—referring to Qureshi as a “sister” sent to “strip” and “take revenge”—is particularly egregious, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and objectifying a woman officer who has served as the face of the army during Operation Sindoor briefings.
Public reaction, including from within Shah’s own party, reflects the magnitude of his misstep. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharati, a senior BJP leader, publicly called for his dismissal and an FIR, stating that Shah “brought shame to the entire nation.” Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge echoed this demand, highlighting bipartisan condemnation. When even allies demand accountability, it signals that Shah’s actions have crossed a line that cannot be excused by political loyalty. His continued presence in the cabinet risks tainting the government’s credibility and emboldening others to make similar remarks under the guise of “cultural” or “patriotic” rhetoric.
4. Precedent and Consistency in Governance
The Indian state has consistently acted against individuals and entities whose actions threaten communal harmony or national pride. In recent years, comedians, activists, and social media users have been arrested or censored for remarks deemed offensive to religious sentiments, national symbols, or security forces. For example, in 2021, a comedian faced legal action for allegedly insulting Hindu deities, and recently several X users in Assam were detained for posts critical of the India’s stance post-Pahalgam terror attack. These cases, while serious, often involved private individuals with limited influence compared to a state minister.
Shah’s case is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern where public figures must face consequences for divisive rhetoric. Allowing him to remain in office would signal a double standard, where ministers are shielded while ordinary citizens face the full brunt of the law. This inconsistency undermines the rule of law and public faith in governance. Sacking Shah or demanding his resignation would demonstrate that no one, regardless of position, is above accountability.
5. Restoring Trust
Shah’s belated apology, while acknowledging Colonel Qureshi’s service, does not undo the harm caused. His initial defense—that his remarks were misconstrued—suggests a lack of genuine remorse. An apology alone cannot suffice when the offense involves prima facie violations of laws carrying life imprisonment. The army veterans’ condemnation, coupled with the court’s scathing observations, demands decisive action from the Madhya Pradesh government and the BJP leadership.
Sacking Shah or compelling his resignation would serve multiple purposes: it would reaffirm the state’s commitment to protecting the armed forces’ dignity, uphold the judiciary’s directive, and signal that communal and sexist rhetoric has no place in public office. It would also align with the government’s broader narrative of promoting national unity and respecting women in leadership roles, as exemplified by officers like Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
Not a mere slip of the tongue
Vijay Shah’s remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi were not a mere slip of the tongue but a calculated, inflammatory attack that insulted a decorated officer, undermined the armed forces, and threatened national unity. The Jabalpur High Court’s intervention and the invocation of stringent legal provisions reflect the seriousness of his actions. In a country where lesser offenses—such as critical social media posts or YouTube content—have led to arrests, censorship, and bans, a minister’s impunity would be a travesty of justice. Shah must be sacked or asked to resign to uphold the principles of accountability, constitutional values, and respect for the armed forces. Anything less would betray the nation’s trust and embolden further divisiveness.
