A storm of outrage has erupted across the nation after Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah’s incendiary remarks about Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi ignited a firestorm of criticism. What followed was a swift and damning response from the judiciary, political leaders, the public, and even his own party.
The controversy exploded when a video surfaced, capturing Shah purportedly saying, “Those who wiped the sindoor off our daughters’ foreheads… we sent their sister to teach them a lesson.” The statement, widely interpreted as a targeted slur against Colonel Qureshi, a decorated officer, triggered massive backlash.
Colonel Qureshi, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during press briefings on Operation Sindoor in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, had become a symbol of bravery and leadership. Shah’s comment, seen as a brazen insult, was condemned across the political spectrum and beyond.
The Jabalpur High Court wasted no time. Taking suo motu cognisance, it ordered the police to file an FIR against the BJP minister. In a scathing indictment, the court noted that Shah had used “scurrilous” and “language of the gutters”, and instructed the state police chief to act under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — including those related to promoting enmity and endangering national unity. The court made it unequivocally clear: the FIR must be registered by Wednesday evening or face contempt proceedings.
Protests erupted across Madhya Pradesh — from Indore to Bhopal — with Congress workers torching effigies and proudly brandishing banners hailing Colonel Qureshi as “Bharat ki Sherni” (India’s tigress).
Following the backlash, Shah finally issued a video statement of apology yesterday. “I am not only ashamed and saddened by my statement but sincerely apologise from the bottom of my heart,” he said, in a desperate attempt to mollify the public fury.
He said in another message: “I respect her (Sofiya Qureshi). In a recent speech, I wanted to put forth the work she had done, but due to my distracted mind, I ended up saying something else. I am ashamed because of this.” He closed his apology with folded hands, stating, “I respect sister Sofiya and everyone from the military.”
But the damage had been done.
Shockwaves tore through the political landscape within hours. Leading Congress figures Mallikarjun Kharge, Jairam Ramesh, and Sachin Pilot denounced Shah in unison, urging the government to sack him from the cabinet without delay. Kharge minced no words: “The BJP-RSS mindset is anti-women,” he charged, referencing a litany of past incidents involving online harassment of women in the armed forces and diplomatic corps.
The National Commission for Women issued a sharp rebuke of Shah’s statement, demanding dignity and respect for all women in uniform.
Even from within his own party, Shah found no refuge. Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi publicly disowned the remarks, branding Shah a “fool” who had turned into a “laughing stock.”
In the court of public opinion, Shah now finds himself completely isolated.
Also Read: NABET Score 2025: Adani Vidya Mandir Ahmedabad Among Top Schools In The Country https://www.vibesofindia.com/nabet-score-2025-adani-vidya-mandir-ahmedabad-among-top-schools-in-the-country/
