Madhya Pradesh High Court Orders FIR Against BJP Minister Over Derogatory Remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
In a significant judicial development, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed the state police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and state minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for making derogatory and communal remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a decorated Army officer who recently came into the public eye for her role in briefing the media during Operation Sindoor.
The order was issued by Justice Atul Sreedharan, who took strong exception to the minister’s comments, which have sparked widespread outrage across political and social circles.
The court instructed the Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure that an FIR is registered against the minister by 6 PM on Wednesday. The judge also warned that failure to comply with the directive would invite contempt proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act.
Court Rejects Delay Plea, Cites Personal Urgency
During the hearing, the counsel representing the minister argued that the court was acting merely based on media reports, which had not been independently verified or substantiated.
In response, **Justice Sreedharan clarified that the court would now incorporate available video links as part of the official record to strengthen the factual basis of the case.
When the Advocate General sought more time for filing a detailed response, the judge tersely remarked, “I may not be alive tomorrow,” signaling the court’s sense of urgency in addressing the matter, especially given its seriousness and potential communal implications.
The court further noted that the minister’s remarks appeared to fall squarely within the purview of Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
This section deals with offences related to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds such as religion, race, place of birth, or language — an offence deemed particularly serious in the eyes of the law.
Political Firestorm After Remarks Against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
The controversy first erupted on Monday during a public event in Indore, where Kunwar Vijay Shah, who currently serves as the Tribal Affairs Minister in the Madhya Pradesh government, made controversial and inflammatory remarks allegedly aimed at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
The colonel, a senior officer in the Indian Army, was one of the two women officers, alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who had been entrusted with briefing the media during the high-stakes Operation Sindoor, a military operation that drew national attention.
During his speech, Shah stated, “Those who widowed our daughters, we sent a sister of their own to teach them a lesson.” Though he did not name Colonel Qureshi directly, the timing, context, and tone of the remarks made it clear that they were directed at her, sparking an immediate backlash.
The statement was interpreted by many as both misogynistic and communal, allegedly targeting the officer based on her gender and religion.
The statement triggered widespread condemnation not only from the opposition Congress Party but also from social activists, veterans, and civil society organizations. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called the remarks “vulgar and disgraceful,” questioning how someone holding a ministerial position could make such inflammatory comments about a woman in uniform serving the nation.
Minister Issues Apology Amid Mounting Pressure
Facing mounting political pressure and criticism from both within and outside the BJP, Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah issued an apology on Tuesday.
However, his statement did little to quell the public outrage, with many calling for his immediate resignation and legal action against him.
National Commission for Women Condemns Remarks
The National Commission for Women (NCW) also issued a strong statement denouncing the derogatory comments aimed at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Although NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar did not mention Shah by name, her statement left no ambiguity regarding the target of her criticism.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she stated, “It is extremely unfortunate that such statements are being made by some responsible persons, which are derogatory and unacceptable towards women.
This not only hurts the dignity of women in our society but is also an insult to the daughters of the nation who are playing an important role in the security of the country.”
The NCW called upon society to respect and honour women officers serving in the armed forces, stressing that their dedication and courage must be acknowledged rather than trivialized or politicized.
Wider Implications and Next Steps
The case is now poised to become a landmark moment in accountability for public figures who make disparaging and inflammatory remarks, particularly against women and minorities.
With the High Court taking swift and uncompromising action, legal proceedings against Kunwar Vijay Shah appear imminent.
Legal experts suggest that the registration of the FIR could lead to further investigation, and possibly criminal charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, especially if the speech is found to have violated provisions concerning hate speech, communal provocation, or insult to public servants.
The next steps will depend on how the state police act on the court’s order and whether further proceedings are initiated by the state or federal authorities.
In the meantime, the incident has once again ignited a broader national conversation about gender sensitivity, communal harmony, and the responsibility of public officials in maintaining the dignity and unity of the country.
