Congress seeks removal of Madhya Pradesh Minister for remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi addressed a press conference after the India-Pakistan ceasefire understanding, in New Delhi on May 10, 2025. | Photo Credit: ANI

The Congress on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) sought the dismissal of a BJP Minister in the Madhya Pradesh Government over his remarks on Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who held press briefings during the India-Pakistan military conflict between May 7 and 10.

Kunwar Vijay Shah, who holds the Tribal Welfare and the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation portfolios, made the controversial remarks on Monday (May 12) at an event in Mhow near Indore. “They killed Hindus and widowed our daughters by wiping off their sindoor (vermilion), so we sent a sister from their own community to take revenge. Clap for Modi ji once,” he said.

Also read | Belagavi police debunk fake news about RSS attacking army officer Sofia Qureshi’s family

Terming the remarks “extremely insulting, shameful and vulgar”, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that Mr. Vijay Shah be sacked immediately.

Colonel Qureshi, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, had become the face of the India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

Also read | Every future escalation will invite a decisive response: govt.

‘Anti-woman mindset’

Mr. Kharge, taking to X, alleged that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had an anti-women mindset.

“The terrorists of Pahalgam wanted to divide the country, but the country was united throughout ‘Operation Sindoor’ in giving a befitting reply to the terrorists,” he said.

“First they trolled the wife of the naval officer martyred in Pahalgam on social media, then they harassed the daughter of Mr. Misri, and now BJP Ministers are making such indecent comments about our braveheart Sofiya Qureshi. Modi ji should immediately dismiss the Minister,” the Congress chief added in his post.

Minister clarifies

However, as the controversy spiralled, Mr. Vijay Shah issued a clarification on Tuesday saying that his remarks had been taken out of context and misunderstood.

“We respect the actions taken by the Indian forces in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. I have nothing to say on the wisdom of those who are twisting my remarks. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi has made the nation proud. We respect both the sisters,” he said.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) questioned the silence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the BJP leadership on the issue.

“Neither any official response, nor any action to sack the Minister – does this silence show that the government agrees with this statement? Is insulting the Army tolerable for a party that says “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”?” the Congress asked in a statement, demanding a public apology from the ruling party.

“This is the same Vijay Shah who was removed from the Cabinet earlier for making lewd remarks on women,” the MPCC said.

Published - May 13, 2025 08:20 pm IST