Madhya Pradesh Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Shah has ignited a major controversy after making contentious remarks that appeared to liken Indian Army officer Colonel Sofia Qureshi to a "sister of terrorists", prompting sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society.
While addressing a public meeting in Ramkunda village near Indore, Shah made a series of comments referencing the Pahalgam terror attack and Colonel Qureshi&rsquo;s role in &lsquo;Operation Sindoor&rsquo;, a military strike launched by the Indian Armed Forces against terrorist elements. His statements were widely perceived as offensive and communal in tone.
&ldquo;Those people (terrorists) who had wiped out the sindoor (vermilion) of our sisters (in the Pahalgam terror attack)&hellip; We avenged these 'kate-pite' people by sending their sister to destroy them,&rdquo; Shah stated during his address.&nbsp;
He continued, &ldquo;They (terrorists) killed our Hindu brothers by making them remove their clothes. PM Modi ji responded by sending their (terrorists') sister in an Army plane to strike them in their houses. They (terrorists) made our sisters widows, so Modiji sent the sister of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson.&rdquo;
Further justifying the retaliatory action, Shah added, &ldquo;Revenge was taken for the honour of our country (India), respect, and for the (slain) husbands of our sisters by sending a sister from your (terrorists') community to Pakistan.&rdquo;
Colonel Sofia Qureshi, who was at the forefront of the army's communication during the operation, held multiple press briefings alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh to update the media on the progress of &lsquo;Operation Sindoor&rsquo;.
The comments by Shah led to immediate political uproar, with the Congress demanding his removal from the Madhya Pradesh cabinet.&nbsp;
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the minister&rsquo;s words, saying, &ldquo;A minister of the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh has made a very derogatory, shameful and cheap remark about our brave daughter Colonel Sofia Qureshi. The terrorists of Pahalgam wanted to divide the country, but the country was united during the entire 'Operation Sindoor' to give a befitting reply to the terrorists.&rdquo;
Kharge further alleged that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) possessed an anti-women mindset. &ldquo;First, the wife of the naval officer martyred in Pahalgam was trolled on social media, then the daughter of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was harassed, and now the BJP ministers are making such indecent comments about our brave woman Sophia Qureshi,&rdquo; he said, appealing directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dismiss Shah from his ministerial post.
Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari posted the video clip of Shah&rsquo;s speech on X, questioning whether the BJP endorsed what he called the minister&rsquo;s &ldquo;low thinking&rdquo;.&nbsp;
The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee also issued a statement denouncing Shah&rsquo;s language, describing it as &ldquo;indecent&rdquo; and &ldquo;hate-filled&rdquo;, and asserting that it was not merely a personal insult but an affront to India&rsquo;s military honour, national unity, and the dignity of women.
In response to the mounting outrage, BJP Madhya Pradesh General Secretary Hitanand Sharma summoned Shah to the party headquarters in Bhopal. Sources indicated that Sharma reprimanded the minister during their meeting. Shah also met with state BJP President Vishnu Dutt Sharma.
Speaking to the press amid the backlash, Shah attempted to clarify his intent, attributing his remarks to emotional distress following the Pahalgam incident. &ldquo;Sister Sophia has brought glory to India by rising above caste and religion. She is more respected than our own sister. I salute her for her service to the nation,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We cannot even think of insulting her in our dreams. Still, if my words have hurt society and religion, then I am ready to apologise 10 times.&rdquo;
He also noted that many members of his own family have served in the armed forces, with several having been martyred.
As the controversy intensified, Congress workers led by party leader Manoj Shukla staged a protest at Shah&rsquo;s official residence. The demonstrators blackened the nameplate at his bungalow and chanted slogans demanding his resignation.
The episode continues to provoke strong reactions across the political spectrum as calls grow for disciplinary action against the minister.
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(Left) Col Qureshi and MP Minister Shah (Right)

Vijay Shah faces backlash after remarks linking Colonel Sofia Qureshi to terrorists during a public address.

Fury Over BJP Leader’s Remarks on Col Qureshi

Vijay Shah faces backlash after remarks linking Colonel Sofia Qureshi to terrorists during a public address.

May 14, 2025 | 14:14 IST