New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah’s “pretend apology” for disparaging Colonel Sophia Qureshi, who had provided the media with an update on Operation Sindoor. Instead, the court turned up the heat by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by senior IPS officers and demanding a detailed report by May 28.. It did, however, temporarily halt Vijay Shah’s detention.
Bhopal: The political atmosphere in Madhya Pradesh is heating up as the opposition continues to question why Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah has not been removed from his post, following his controversial and derogatory remarks about Colonel Sophia Qureshi.
Despite mounting criticism, sources within the ruling BJP indicate that any decision regarding Vijay Shah’s political future will only be made after May 28—once the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits its findings to the Supreme Court.
The controversy erupted after Vijay Shah’s communal comments went viral, drawing widespread condemnation and even a strong rebuke from the apex court. This prompted the opposition Congress to demand his immediate ouster.
While the Mohan Yadav-led government is celebrating the 300th birth anniversary of Malwa’s revered Queen Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, Congress leader Bhupendra Gupta didn’t miss the opportunity to highlight the irony.
“Mr. Chief Minister, women were empowered under Devi Ahilyabai’s rule. If you’re holding a special cabinet meeting to honor her legacy, the least you can do is distance your government from a minister who insulted both a female army officer and the military,” Gupta posted on X.
State Congress President Jitu Patwari also took aim at the BJP, questioning the party’s inaction:
“The real issue now is the BJP’s character. Will @BJP4MP only act if forced by the court? A power-hungry BJP must remember that this country stands for democracy, not dictatorship.”
However, BJP insiders have pointed to the Supreme Court’s decision not to arrest Vijay Shah as a reason why there’s “no immediate need” for his removal. “The government has always maintained it will follow the court’s directions,” said a source. “A decision on Shah will likely come after the SIT files its report on May 28.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is set to chair a cabinet meeting in Indore today. According to party sources, Vijay Shah has not been sent the meeting agenda and is not expected to attend. He is reportedly in Delhi, holding discussions with the party high command about his political future.
What Triggered the Controversy?
The controversy stems from a viral video showing Minister Vijay Shah making deeply offensive remarks about Colonel Sophia Qureshi during a public event. Referring to the 2024 Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 civilians were killed,Vijay Shah said:
“They killed and stripped Hindus… In return, Modi ji sent their sister. Since we couldn’t confront them directly, we sent someone from their own community. As widows of our community, you will be stripped by one of their daughters.”
These remarks, aimed at a senior military officer, caused widespread outrage. The Madhya Pradesh High Court took serious note, directing that a formal FIR be registered against the minister. The court also emphasized that calling someone a “sister of terrorists” could threaten communal harmony.
Importantly, the court remarked that such statements create a dangerous perception—that a person could be disrespected solely because of their religion, regardless of their service to the nation.
Court Rejects Vijay Shah’s Apology
Following the backlash,Vijay Shah attempted to apologize, claiming he respects Colonel Qureshi as much as he would his own sister. However, the Supreme Court found his apology insincere.
“What kind of apology is this? Are you just using polite words to avoid consequences? Is this an honest apology, or are you simply trying to show that the court asked you to apologize? What stopped you from sincerely apologizing earlier?” the court asked bluntly.
To ensure an impartial investigation, the Supreme Court directed the formation of a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising:
- IG Pramod Verma
- DIG Kalyan Chakravarti
- SP Wahini Singh
The SIT has been tasked with probing the incident and must submit its status report to the court by May 28.