The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday ordered the police to file an FIR against state Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah for his controversial remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer known for her role in media briefings during Operation Sindoor.
The court took suo motu (on its own) cognizance of Shah’s comments, which have sparked widespread outrage across political and military circles. It directed the state Director General of Police to initiate legal proceedings immediately.
Speaking at a public event in Mhow, Shah had said, “The terrorists had wiped the sindoor of our sisters and daughters, and we sent their own sister to give it back to them in kind.”
He added, “They stripped Hindus and killed them, and Modi-ji sent their sister to return the favour. We couldn’t undress them, so we sent a daughter from their community… You widowed sisters of our community, so a sister of your community will strip you naked.”
Shah’s speech was made in the presence of senior BJP leaders including Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur and MLA Usha Thakur.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, has been at the forefront of Operation Sindoor briefings alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The operation was launched following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, which left 26 civilians dead.
The Congress Party called Shah’s remarks “derogatory, communal, and sexist.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded Shah’s immediate removal from the cabinet.
“Such language against a brave officer of the Indian Army is unacceptable. Prime Minister Modi must sack him,” Kharge said in a statement.
Several Army veterans also criticized the minister for demeaning a serving officer and dragging religion and gender into matters of national security.
Facing backlash, Shah first claimed he was misquoted, then issued an apology.
“Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is more important than my sister to me because she rose above caste and community and took revenge. I did not intend any offence. Still, if anyone felt bad, I apologise not once but ten times.”
The court’s order marks a rare instance of judicial intervention over a minister’s public comments. The police are now expected to register a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the law, including those related to hate speech and insulting the modesty of women.
