Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Shah has landed in controversy over a speech in which he made remarks seen as offensive towards Colonel Sofia Qureshi, a respected officer in the Indian Army.

Colonel Qureshi recently addressed the media during Operation Sindoor, a major counter-terror operation led by Indian forces.

Vijay Shah, during a public event, appeared to link the officer’s religious identity to the terrorists targeted in the operation. His comments suggested that the Prime Minister had sent “a sister from their community” on a mission to avenge the brutal killing of Hindus by terrorists.

Reports quoted him as saying: “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 sisters of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson.”

The statement led to a wave of criticism across the country, with citizens and political leaders calling out Shah’s remarks as derogatory and disrespectful to a serving officer.

Following widespread criticism, Shah issued an apology. He said he never intended to disrespect Colonel Qureshi and added that he holds her in high regard.

"I am a patriotic man, and people of every community have worked for the country," Shah said.

"If something slipped out in anger and someone felt bad, I would like to say that I am not a god but a human being. I apologise ten times for it."

He also urged people not to interpret his words out of context, stressing again that he meant no disrespect.

Opposition demands Minister's dismissal

Political opponents quickly reacted to Shah’s remarks. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge demanded his immediate dismissal from the Madhya Pradesh cabinet, calling the statement "derogatory and shameful."

Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose also criticised Shah’s comments and shared the video clip on social media platform X. "Will PM Modi and BJP sack this foul-mouthed minister? Or will they remain silent?" she posted.

Netizens demand action

Shah’s statement sparked anger online, with many social media users demanding strict action.

People expressed their support for Colonel Qureshi and said such statements insult not only her but all officers serving the nation, regardless of religion.

"How many TV debates were done on what Madhya Pradesh BJP minister, Vijay Shah said about Col Sofia Qureshi?” A user asked.

"This is why no country stood with us," one user wrote.

Others accused him of trying to divide people and politicise the military.

Who is Colonel Sofia Qureshi?

Colonel Sofia Qureshi is a senior officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals. She made history in 2016 as the first woman to lead an Indian contingent in a multinational military exercise. Her recent role in briefing the press on Operation Sindoor has earned her widespread respect and visibility.

(Agency inputs)