In a significant judgement amid the recent tensions between India- Pakistan over Pahalgam terror attack and the Operation Sindoor. The Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 14 directed the state police to immediately file a First Information Report (FIR) against BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah.

The FIR comes in response for making derogatory, communal, and sexist remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The court took suo motu cognizance of the matter, calling the minister’s comments “scurrilous,” “dangerous,” and reflective of “language of the gutters.”

A bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Anuradha Shukla from the Jabalpur High Court stated that the minister’s remarks were a prima facie violation of two serious provisions, Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to acts endangering India’s sovereignty and unity, and Section 196 of the Indian Penal Code, dealing with promoting enmity between communities.

Supreme Court Criticizes Minister’s Conduct

On May 15, the Supreme Court heard an urgent plea filed by Vijay Shah seeking a stay on the High Court’s order. However, the bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai refused to intervene at this stage.

“A person holding constitutional office is expected to act responsibly,” the CJI remarked. “Is it appropriate for a minister to make such statements?” The court noted the potential threat such remarks pose to communal harmony and national unity, adding that the minister’s statements encourage separatist sentiments by targeting an officer based on her religion.

What did BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah say?

During an event in Indore on Monday, BJP minister Vijay Shah, in an alleged reference to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, said, “Those who widowed our daughters, we sent a sister of their own to teach them a lesson.” He was referring to the Operation Sindoor carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

“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.

He also said, “The country’s honour and respect and the marital bliss of our sisters can be avenged by sending the sisters of your community to Pakistan.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the remarks, saying that the mentality of the BJP and its ideological source, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has “always been anti-women.”

The controversy erupted after Shah, speaking at a cultural event in Mhow, made comments implying that Col. Qureshi was a “sister of terrorists” and had been sent to avenge a terror attack in Pahalgam. Referring to her Muslim identity, Shah claimed, “They widowed our sisters, so we sent a sister from their community to take revenge.”

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharati also demanded the minister’s dismissal and criminal action against him.”Vijay Shah ji should be dismissed from the post of minister and an FIR should be lodged against him immediately because he has brought shame to the entire nation,” she posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Minister Issues Apology Amid Backlash

Vijay Shah initially claimed his comments were taken out of context. However, following the mounting criticism and uproar, he later issued an unconditional public apology. “I am ashamed and saddened by my statement,” Shah said in a video message. “Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is more important than my sister because she rose above caste and community.”

“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,” he said.
Meanwhile the High court did not accept the apology as grounds for leniency, with the High Court emphasizing that such speech from a minister could not be excused merely by expressing regret.

FIR Registered Under New Penal Provisions

Indore Police registered a formal case against Shah, following the High Court’s direction. The Fir was registered under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and IPC. The court further warned that failure to comply with its order could lead to contempt proceedings against the state’s police chief.

In addition to this, the matter is now scheduled to be heard further in the Supreme Court on Friday, May 16.