In a major development that has sparked intense national outrage, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered the filing of a police case against state minister Vijay Shah for his controversial and sexist remarks directed at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The court took suo motu cognizance of the issue and directed the Director General of Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the minister. This directive came shortly after a video clip of Mr Shah’s comments at a public cultural event in Mhow went viral and drew widespread criticism from political leaders and citizens alike.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who has been an active participant in press briefings regarding Operation Sindoor alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, became the subject of demeaning remarks by Mr Shah during his speech. Referring to India’s strategic response to cross-border aggression, Mr Shah said, "They had taken away the sindoor of our sisters and daughters, and we sent their own sister to give it back to them in kind." He went on to make further inflammatory comments: "They undressed 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."
These remarks, perceived as targeting both gender and religious sentiments, were made in the presence of key political figures including Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur, former Cabinet minister Usha Thakur, as well as several elected representatives from local panchayats and municipalities. The comments not only raised eyebrows but also prompted outrage across the political spectrum, particularly from the opposition Congress party.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge led the criticism against Vijay Shah, demanding his immediate dismissal from the state cabinet. In his statement, Kharge said, "This kind of misogyny and communal tone has no place in our democratic setup. Action must be swift and decisive." Social media platforms lit up with hashtags calling for justice for Colonel Qureshi and demanding accountability from elected leaders for their public statements.
Several women’s rights organizations and civil society groups also condemned the minister’s statements, stating that such rhetoric undermines the dignity of women in the armed forces and sets a dangerous precedent. “Colonel Sofiya Qureshi represents the strength and capability of India’s women in uniform. To reduce her role to a communal revenge narrative is shameful,” said a joint statement by a group of retired army officers and activists. The High Court’s intervention is being seen as a necessary check against hate speech and gendered propaganda in politics. Legal experts have hailed the suo motu action as a step in the right direction for safeguarding the dignity of individuals in public service, especially those serving in defence.
As the police move forward with the FIR, pressure is mounting on the Madhya Pradesh government and the ruling party to take disciplinary action against Shah. The incident has also reignited debates about the role of political leaders in maintaining decorum and respect while addressing sensitive issues in public forums. With the controversy still unfolding, it remains to be seen how the ruling BJP handles the backlash. Meanwhile, public support for Colonel Qureshi has grown, with many citizens expressing solidarity with her on social media and demanding strict legal action against those using hate speech, especially against individuals in the armed forces.
