The Madhya Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday distanced itself from Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah’s controversial comments on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, emphasizing that the party does not endorse such statements against individuals who have brought pride to the nation through their service.
State BJP president V.D. Sharma addressed the issue, stating that he had spoken to Shah immediately after the remarks surfaced and conveyed clear instructions from the party leadership. While he did not elaborate on the nature of those instructions, Sharma asserted that the BJP is sensitive to such matters and responds swiftly when something inappropriate occurs. “No one has the right to disrespect Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who has made the country proud,” Sharma said.
Responding to the Congress party’s demand for Shah’s resignation, Sharma refrained from commenting on statements by Opposition leaders but reiterated Colonel Qureshi’s contribution under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling her a source of national pride. He also confirmed that Shah was summoned to the BJP headquarters in Bhopal for a closed-door meeting on Tuesday evening, which lasted approximately 30 minutes. A photo from the meeting was later shared by the state BJP office.
The controversy stems from Shah’s remarks made at a government event in Mhow on Monday, in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Referring to Operation Sindoor, the retaliatory Indian military action, Shah lauded PM Modi’s leadership and said, “Those who widowed our daughters (in Pahalgam), we sent a sister of their own to teach them a lesson,” implying that Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s religious identity was used symbolically in the operation against Pakistan.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a respected officer in the Indian Army, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, had jointly briefed the media during Operation Sindoor, showcasing the joint efforts of the armed forces in responding to the attack.
The Congress party has escalated its demands for Shah’s resignation from the tribal affairs portfolio, staging protests in seven locations across Madhya Pradesh. On Tuesday night, Congress workers blackened the nameplate at Shah’s official residence in Bhopal, intensifying the political backlash.
Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh strongly condemned Shah’s remarks, calling them “highly objectionable” and urged the BJP central leadership to take strict action against the minister.
As pressure mounts from both civil society and political quarters, the BJP’s attempt to contain the damage suggests the party is keen to separate itself from divisive rhetoric, especially when it involves decorated armed forces personnel.
