Madhya Pradesh’s Tribal Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah has found himself at the centre of a storm — and it’s for all the wrong reasons.The BJP leader has triggered outrage after making rabidly communal comments about
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi,
the Indian Army officer who, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, have become one of the most visible faces of the military operation. The duo regularly appears with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during the media briefings on
Operation Sindoor.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADBut Shah’s remarks about Qureshi have now sparked a political and social firestorm.Taking suo motu cognizance of the issue, a local court slammed the minister’s statements as “cancerous and dangerous,” and on Wednesday directed the state police chief to register a First Information Report (FIR) against him.More from Explainers
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What are Turkey-made Songar drones that Pakistan used against India?As criticism pours in from across the country, many are asking: Who is Vijay Shah? What exactly did the minister say? And why have his comments ignited such a fierce backlash? Here’s a closer look at the controversy.Speaking at a government function in Manpur town near Mhow, which ironically is a major army cantonment, Shah made deeply disturbing and communal remarks.While speaking about Operation Sindoor, Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent a “sister from the same community” as those in Pakistan to avenge the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam.Editor’s Picks1Why Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, his daughter got trolled, and how they got support2Who are Sofiya Qureshi and Vyomika Singh, Indian officers who led Operation Sindoor briefing?“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. Modi-ji proved that the daughters of your caste can be sent to Pakistan to take revenge,” the minister had added.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADWhat’s more controversial is, when Shah made these statements, Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur, former Cabinet minister and MLA Usha Thakur, along with several other BJP leaders, were seated in the audience.‘Army officers have no religion’Shah’s controversial remarks quickly went viral, sparking nationwide outrage and drawing sharp criticism from political leaders and women’s rights groups.Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge came down heavily on the BJP leader, calling his remarks “insulting, shameful and vulgar,” and demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack Shah immediately.“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.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADEchoing similar sentiments, Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar said the minister’s comments were not just inappropriate, but an outright insult to both the army and Indian women.“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,” said Singhar.The National Commission for Women also issued a statement strongly condemning the derogatory tone of the remarks without naming Shah.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD“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,” said NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on X.Amid mounting criticism, Shah attempted to walk back his controversial comments, claiming they had been misunderstood. He also offered an apology.“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,” Shah said.He added, “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.”A seasoned politician, Shah has served as an MLA for eight consecutive terms since 1990 and has held ministerial positions in the Madhya Pradesh government since 2003, barring the brief Congress rule in 2019-20.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADHowever, this is not the first time he has courted controversy with his remarks about women.In 2013, Shah had made disparaging comments about Sadhna Singh Chouhan, the wife of then Chief Minister and now Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The backlash forced him to resign, though he was reinstated later.Many believe his quick political comeback was fuelled by the BJP’s concern that his ousting could alienate tribal voters in western Madhya Pradesh.With input from agenciesTagsIndiaIndia-Pakistan TensionMadhya PradeshEnd of Article
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