MP High Court Orders FIR Against BJP Minister for Remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

 Bhopal — The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed, suo motu, the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against state minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for making derogatory remarks about Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who played a prominent role in the official briefings during India’s recent counterterrorism operation, Operation Sindoor.

The court observed that Shah’s comments appeared to constitute prima facie offences under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The remarks, which referred to Col Qureshi as a “sister of terrorists,” triggered widespread condemnation across political and public platforms.

Following the court’s intervention, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari lodged a formal complaint against the minister. “A minister from Madhya Pradesh insulted the officers of the Army and our sisters. Why is the BJP silent on this?” Patwari asked during a press briefing.

The controversy erupted after videos circulated online showed Shah, who serves as the state’s Tribal Affairs Minister, making incendiary remarks. In one clip, Shah is heard saying, “Jinhone humari betiyon ke sindoor ujade the… humne unhiki behen bhej kar ke unki aisi ki taisi karwayi (Those who wiped the vermilion off our daughters’ foreheads… we sent their sister to teach them a lesson).” He continued, “They undressed Hindus and killed them, and Modi ji sent their sister to return the favour. Since Modi ji could not remove their clothes, he sent a sister of their community to send the message that if you make the sisters of our community widows, a sister of your community will strip you naked.”

The remarks were widely condemned as inappropriate and inflammatory. The National Commission for Women (NCW) issued a statement denouncing the language used without naming the minister directly.

“It is extremely unfortunate that such statements are being made by some responsible persons which are derogatory and unacceptable towards women. This not only hurts the dignity of women in our society but is also an insult to the daughters of the nation who are playing an important role in the security of the country,” NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar posted on X. “Dear Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a proud daughter of this nation, a sister of all country-loving Indians, who has served the country with courage and dedication,” she added.

Following the backlash, Shah issued a statement defending his intent. “We respect the actions taken by the Indian forces that avenged the Pahalgam terror attack in which the vermilion was wiped off the forehead of our sisters. I don’t want to say anything to those who are twisting my remarks,” he said. He later added, “If my words have hurt society and religion, then I am ready to apologise ten times.”

Despite the clarification, senior Congress leaders continued to demand his dismissal. Party President Mallikarjun Kharge described the remarks as “insulting” and called for Shah’s removal from office.

“A minister of the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh has made extremely insulting, shameful and vulgar remarks about our brave daughter Colonel Sofia Qureshi. The terrorists of Pahalgam wanted to divide the country, but the country was united throughout Operation Sindoor in giving a befitting reply to the terrorists,” Kharge posted on X.

Leader of the Opposition in Madhya Pradesh, Umang Singhar, also weighed in, stating: “Minister Vijay Shah’s statement on the top army officer is not only shameful but it is an insult to both the army and women. Be it an army officer or a soldier, he has no religion, he is not counted as Hindu or Muslim. They have only one religion – country.”

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who is serving in the Indian Army Medical Corps, was one of the three uniformed officers chosen to lead media briefings on Operation Sindoor, alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. The operation was launched in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian civilians.