'Language of gutters': HC raps MP minister over controversial remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi at a media briefing. (File photo/ANI)

Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah was castigated by the Jabalpur High Court for his distasteful remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

The HC took suo motu cognizance of the controversial statement and ordered the police to register an FIR against him.

The Jabalpur High Court bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Anuradha Shukla lashed out at Shah for using "language of the gutters" against a senior Indian Army officer, NDTV reported.

Terming the comments "dangerous" and "disparaging", the judges said they were also prima facie offences under two stringent sections of Indian law.

The Bench expressed concern that such a statement "encourages feelings of separatist activities by imputing separatist feeling to anyone who is Muslim," thereby violating the constitutional spirit of unity and fraternity, according to a report by NDTV.

In a sharply worded observation, the Court said: "The armed forces, perhaps the last institution existing in this country, reflecting integrity, industry, discipline, sacrifice, selflessness, character, honour and indomitable courage... has been targeted by Vijay Shah who has used the language of the gutters against Col. Sofia Quraishi."

Earlier on Tuesday, Shah, the Tribal Affairs Minister of Madhya Pradesh, speaking at a cultural event in Mhow, said, the terrorists had "wiped the sindoor of our sisters and daughters, and we sent their own sister to give it back to them in kind".

"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.

The comments were condemned by the army veterans and the Opposition parties. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called for his sacking.

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Dr. Kunwar Vijay Shah (@KrVijayShah) May 14, 2025

After the court's rap, in a video, Shah said, "I am ashamed and saddened by my recent statement which has hurt the sentiments of every community. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Our country's 'sister' Sofiya Qureshi ji rose above caste and society while fulfilling her national duty."