Key Points
- Madhya Pradesh High Court directs police to register an FIR against Cabinet Minister Vijay Shah for his remarks targeting Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
- Court gives DGP four hours to comply, warning of contempt if the order is not followed.
- Shah’s comments, made at a public event, sparked widespread condemnation for being communal and derogatory.
- The BJP reprimanded Shah, while the opposition Congress demanded his immediate dismissal.
- Shah later issued a clarification and apology, stating his remarks were misconstrued and expressing respect for Colonel Qureshi.
Jabalpur: In a major development, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against state Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah following his controversial remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer who led press briefings on Operation Sindoor, India’s recent cross-border anti-terror operation.
Court Acts Swiftly, Warns of Contempt
Taking suo motu cognizance, a division bench of Justices Atul Shridharan and Anuradha Shukla directed the state police to file the FIR by 6 pm Wednesday, warning that failure to do so would invite contempt proceedings against the Director General of Police. The court observed that Shah’s statements, which appeared to liken Colonel Qureshi to a “sister of terrorists,” were not only communal but also threatened the unity and integrity of the country.
Justice Shridharan, during the hearing, remarked, “Register a crime of endangering the unity and integrity of India. If the FIR is not registered, contempt of court action will be taken against the DGP.” The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday morning.
What Did Vijay Shah Say?
At a public gathering in Indore, Shah made remarks referencing the Pahalgam terror attack, suggesting that Prime Minister Modi had sent “a sister from their community” to Pakistan to avenge atrocities committed by terrorists, in an apparent allusion to Colonel Qureshi. The comments, captured on video and widely circulated online, were criticized for being communal and disrespectful to both women and the armed forces.
Shah stated, “They (terrorists) killed our Hindu brothers by making them remove their clothes. PM Modi ji responded by sending their (terrorists’) sister in an Army plane to strike them in their houses. They made our sisters widows, so Modiji sent the sister of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson”.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who has a distinguished record in the Indian Army, was not involved in combat operations but led media briefings alongside senior officials, providing updates on Operation Sindoor.
Political Fallout and Clarification
The remarks triggered an immediate political storm. The BJP leadership in Madhya Pradesh reprimanded Shah, while the Congress party demanded his removal from the cabinet, calling the comments “an insult to women and the armed forces”. Congress spokespersons described Shah as a “habitual offender on speaking against women” and questioned the silence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the BJP on the issue.
Facing mounting criticism, Shah issued a clarification, stating, “Some people are taking my statement in a different context. I did not mean it that way. She (Col. Qureshi) is my sister and she has avenged the acts of the terrorists. If anyone is hurt by my statement, I am ready to apologise 10 times. I respect Colonel Qureshi more than I respect my sister”
Broader Impact
The High Court’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s zero-tolerance stance on statements that threaten national unity or promote communal discord, especially from public representatives. The case has also reignited debate over political accountability and the need for respectful discourse regarding the armed forces and women in public life.
The next hearing is set for Thursday, with the court expecting a compliance report from the police on the FIR registration.
