Congress workers have staged protests across several cities including Indore, Bhopal, Badnawar and Khandwa in response to controversial remarks made by BJP Minister Vijay Shah against Indian Army spokesperson Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Muslim female officer.
Protesters defaced Vijay Shah’s nameplates with ink and set his effigies ablaze. Slogans such as “Modi Muradabad” and “Vijay Shah Muradabad” echoed throughout the demonstrations.
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– Congress condemns BJP’s 'misogynistic mindset' –
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge denounced the minister’s comments, stating they reflect the “anti-women mindset” of the BJP and RSS. He called for Shah’s immediate dismissal, labelling the remarks as sectarian, indecent, and a threat to national security.
– Vijay Shah issues apology amid mounting criticism –
Under mounting public and political pressure, and after being summoned by the BJP leadership, Vijay Shah issued an apology. He claimed his remarks had been taken out of context and insisted he held Colonel Qureshi in high regard.
“If my statement hurt anyone, I am ready to apologise ten times over,” Shah said. However, his apology failed to quell public outrage.
– Court orders FIR against Shah –
Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered against Vijay Shah within four hours. The court stated that his remarks insult not only Colonel Qureshi but also the Indian Army as a whole and could incite communal disharmony.
– Who is Colonel Sofiya Qureshi? –
Colonel Sofia Qureshi has been serving in the Indian Army’s Signals Corps since 1999. She rose to national prominence during Operation Sindoor for her role in delivering media briefings. In 2016, she became the first Indian female officer to lead a multinational military exercise.
