Madhya Pradesh’s Tribal Welfare Minister, Vijay Shah, made headlines after a public speech in which he appeared to link Colonel Qureshi’s religious identity to the terrorists targeted during Operation Sindoor. Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Shah said, “They (terrorists) killed our Hindu brothers by making them remove their clothes. PM Modi ji responded by sending their (terrorists’) sister in an Army plane to strike them in their houses. They (terrorists) made our sisters widows, so Modiji sent the sisters of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson”.
Shah’s comments, intended to praise Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, were widely interpreted as branding Colonel Qureshi a “sister of the same community as terrorists,” a statement seen as communal, derogatory, and disrespectful to a serving officer.
The remarks quickly went viral, sparking outrage across the political spectrum and on social media. The Congress party, led by President Mallikarjun Kharge, demanded Shah’s immediate dismissal, calling the comments “shameful, vulgar, and an insult to women and the armed forces.” Congress spokespersons described the minister’s words as a “habitual offence” and “crossing all limits of communalism”.
Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose and numerous netizens echoed the demand for strict action, emphasizing that such statements insult not only Colonel Qureshi but all officers serving the nation, regardless of religion or gender.
Facing mounting criticism, Vijay Shah issued multiple apologies, stating, “If anyone is hurt by my statement, I am ready to apologise ten times. I respect Colonel Qureshi more than my sister.” He insisted his remarks were misconstrued and that he never intended to disrespect Colonel Qureshi or the armed forces. Shah emphasized his family’s military background and said his comments were made in an emotional context following the Pahalgam attack.
Despite the apology, opposition leaders and many citizens remained unsatisfied, insisting that such rhetoric from a government minister is unacceptable and warrants removal from office.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi, a highly respected officer with a distinguished military career, was not directly involved in the military offensive of Operation Sindoor but played a key role in briefing the media alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Her professionalism and service have been widely lauded, and she is seen as a symbol of women’s growing leadership in India’s armed forces.
The controversy has reignited discussions about communalism, gender bias, and the politicization of the armed forces. Critics argue that such remarks undermine the secular and inclusive ethos of India’s military and set a dangerous precedent for political discourse.
