M.P. HC Orders FIR Against Minister Vijay Shah Over Remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of a controversial remark made by Cabinet Minister Vijay Shah and issued a directive for the immediate registration of an FIR. A Division Bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla instructed the State Police to file the report within four hours, citing the gravity of the statements allegedly made against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a serving officer in the Indian Army.
The court’s action was prompted by media coverage of the Minister’s remarks, which appeared to target the officer on religious grounds. Justice Sreedharan emphasized that the remarks could disrupt social harmony and potentially endanger the unity and integrity of the country. The FIR was to be filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 196 (promoting enmity between groups) and Section 152 (acts threatening national unity).
“On the face of it, the comments made against Colonel Sofiya Quraishi, who follows the Muslim faith, seem intended to demean her by labeling her the ‘sister of terrorists,’ which could seriously harm interfaith relations,” the court remarked. The judges noted the potential of such language to stigmatize individuals solely based on religion, regardless of their dedicated service to the nation.
Justice Sreedharan, while addressing government counsel, issued a stern warning: “Make sure the order is implemented. If not, consequences will follow. This Court will not hesitate to take strong measures to ensure its directives are upheld. The responsibility lies with you now, and we’ll evaluate the compliance tomorrow.”
The matter was listed for further hearing the following day. The Bench cautioned that non-compliance could lead to contempt proceedings against the Director General of Police. “The FIR must be registered by this evening. Otherwise, the Court may be compelled to initiate action against the DGP during the next hearing,” the Bench observed.
In scathing terms, the Court criticized Minister Shah, stating that he had disrespected one of the country’s most respected institutions—the Armed Forces. “Mr. Vijay Shah has used indecent language against Colonel Quraishi, who represents the values of integrity, dedication, sacrifice, and honor that define our military forces. Such remarks are deeply concerning,” the Court stated.
At a public function held on May 12, Minister Shah reportedly commented, “The terrorists who had erased the sindoor of our sisters… we retaliated by sending their sister to destroy them.” Although Colonel Qureshi was not named initially, Shah later confirmed in a clarification that the comments were about her, insisting that his statement had been misunderstood.
The High Court described the remarks as “dangerous and alarming”, highlighting a worrying trend of political leaders making derogatory statements about members of the Armed Forces. Justice Sreedharan expressed concern, saying, “Now even our soldiers are being targeted by such rhetoric.”
Reacting to the Court’s order, Indore Rural IG Anurag said the police had received a copy of the directive and that legal consultations were underway to determine the appropriate course of action. “We are reviewing the High Court’s instructions with our legal team. Once all aspects are clear, we will proceed accordingly,” he stated.
The issue sparked a wave of political backlash. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the Prime Minister’s silence, calling the statement “shameful” and symptomatic of a “sick mindset.” Similar sentiments were echoed by leaders such as Sachin Pilot, Y.S. Sharmila, Harish Rawat, Mayawati, and Trinamool MP Sagarika Ghosh.
The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), led by President Jitu Patwari, filed police complaints in various cities. Protest demonstrations were also held by party workers demanding action against the Minister.
Amid rising political pressure, sources from the Chief Minister’s Office revealed that top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were considering disciplinary action against Shah. State BJP President V.D. Sharma affirmed that the matter had been taken seriously and that Shah had been warned. “Colonel Qureshi is a daughter of the nation. No one has the right to make such comments,” Sharma stated during a media interaction.
A senior BJP leader disclosed that Shah was summoned by State General Secretary (Organisation) Hitanand Sharma on the evening of May 13 at the party headquarters in Bhopal, where he was issued a stern reprimand and told to avoid such statements in the future. Shah later offered a formal apology.
Veteran BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti went a step further, demanding Shah’s removal from office. “He has disgraced the entire nation. An FIR must be filed immediately, and he should be dismissed from the cabinet,” she asserted, adding that Shah had been appointed a minister during her tenure in 2003.
In addition, National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar denounced the Minister’s words as “unfortunate.” She urged public officials to speak responsibly, particularly when referring to women in service uniforms, emphasizing the need for respectful discourse.
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