'Sorry, sister Sofiya': Who is Vijay Shah, the Madhya Pradesh minister under fire for ‘gutter language’

BJP leader Kunwar Vijay Shah's remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi sparked backlash from Congress.

Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah on Wednesday apologised for making controversial remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. In a video message, which was shared by news agency PTI, Shah said, “I sincerely apologise for my recent comments, which have hurt the sentiments of society. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s contributions, rising above religion and caste, are commendable. I hold her in high regard.”

VIDEO | Here's what Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah said while apologising for his remarks about Col. Sofiya Qureshi:"I apologise for my recent statement, which hurt the sentiments of our society. The work done by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, rising above religion and caste, is pic.twitter.com/kh2Jnp8CAe
Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 14, 2025

He added that he has great respect for the Indian Army and referred to Colonel Qureshi as his “sister.”

“Although some inappropriate words came out in my recent statement, my intentions were always clear. I apologise to everyone, and especially to my sister, Sofiya Qureshi,” the minister said.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer, had conducted press briefings alongside foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, providing updates on Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Who is Vijay Shah?

Kunwar Vijay Shah is a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Madhya Pradesh, currently serving as the Cabinet Minister for Tribal Affairs in the state government.

Born on November 1, 1962, in Makdai, Harda district, Shah has been elected eight consecutive times as the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Harsud constituency in Khandwa district, a seat reserved for Scheduled Tribes, since 1990.

Throughout his political career, Shah has held various ministerial portfolios, including Forests, Education, and Tribal Welfare. He has been a prominent figure in Madhya Pradesh politics, known for his long-standing service and influence within the BJP.

What did Shah say?

Speaking at a government function in Manpur town near Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP leader brought up Operation Sindoor and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent a ‘sister from the same community’ as those in Pakistan to avenge the April 22 terror strike in Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

“Modi ji is striving for the society. Those who widowed our daughters in Pahalgam, we sent a sister of their own to teach them a lesson,” Shah said.

MP High Court’s verdict

Shah faced significant controversy following derogatory remarks made against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognisance of his comments, describing them as "gutter language," and ordered the state's Director General of Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against him. The court emphasised the importance of maintaining respect for armed forces personnel, especially women, in public discourse.

A division bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla held that a prima facie offence under Section 152 of the BNS, which criminalises any act that endangers the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, was attracted in the instant case.

Following the court's directive, an FIR was registered against Shah in Indore district. In response to the backlash, Shah issued a public apology, stating that he respects "sister Sofia" and the army. Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti has also called for his dismissal from the cabinet.