Congress ups pressure on Madhya Pradesh govt, seeks Vijay Shah’s ouster over remarks on Army officer

BJP leader Kunwar Vijay Shah's remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi sparked backlash from Congress. (PTI/X)

• Congress demands MP minister Vijay Shah's removal over remarks against Col Qureshi
• SC orders MP govt to decide on Shah prosecution sanction within 2 weeks
• Shah faces SIT probe and FIR for objectionable comments after Operation Sindoor

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The Congress on Monday stepped up pressure on the Madhya Pradesh government, demanding the immediate removal of minister Vijay Shah in connection with remarks allegedly made against Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi after Operation Sindoor.

The demand came hours after the Supreme Court asked the state to take a call on sanction for prosecution within a fixed timeline.

Addressing reporters in Indore, MP Congress president Jitu Patwari said Chief Minister Mohan Yadav must act without delay. According to him, Shah should be asked to step down forthwith, his resignation accepted, and approval granted to initiate criminal proceedings.

Patwari warned that any hesitation on the part of the state would have legal consequences, asserting that refusal to grant sanction would amount to contempt of court.

Earlier in the day, the apex court directed the Madhya Pradesh government to decide within two weeks whether permission would be granted to prosecute Shah. The direction was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Dipankar Datta and Joymalya Bagchi.

The court noted that the Special Investigation Team constituted to probe the matter has completed its inquiry and submitted a final report.

The bench observed that further action has not moved forward because the report is pending mandatory sanction from the state under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a provision dealing with offences related to communal hatred and ill-will.

Shah had been under scrutiny following an SIT probe ordered by the Supreme Court over what were described as “scurrilous” and “objectionable” comments aimed at Col Qureshi.

Patwari accused leaders of the ruling BJP of double standards. He said that while they frequently sermonise about propriety and ethics, they cross all boundaries when it comes to shielding their own leaders.

He claimed the party had been attempting to protect Shah ever since the controversy erupted, despite widespread public outrage.

The minister landed in trouble after a video clip circulated widely on social media, purportedly showing him making objectionable remarks about Col Qureshi.

The officer had come into the national spotlight along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during official media briefings related to Operation Sindoor.

Following strong backlash, Shah issued an apology, saying that he “respects Col Qureshi more than his sister”.

Despite this, legal proceedings moved ahead after the Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter. An FIR was subsequently lodged against him at Manpur police station in Indore district.

The high court strongly criticised the minister, reproaching him for making “scurrilous” statements and using “language of the gutters” against a serving Army officer.

Shah was booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 152, 196(1)(b) and 197(1)(c), relating to offences against women and acts that threaten communal harmony.

Shah currently handles the portfolios of Tribal Affairs, Public Asset Management, and Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation.