The Indian Supreme Court on Thursday strongly criticized Madhya Pradesh Minister for Tribal Affairs Kunwar Vijay Shah for his controversial remarks about Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai called the minister’s comments insensitive and unacceptable, emphasizing that those in constitutional roles must speak with caution.
On Wednesday, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered case against Vijay Shah for his controversial remark on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Vijay sparked a major controversy with comments which appeared to be directed at Colonel Qureshi. In a video which has gone viral, the BJP leader is seen saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a "terrorists' sister from their community" to kill them.
This drew wide-scale condemnation, with the opposition Congress demanding his immediate dismissal from the Madhya Pradesh cabinet.
Under severe flak, Vijay said if anyone is hurt by his statement, he is "ready to apologize 10 times," adding that he respects Colonel Qureshi "more than I respect my sister."
Taking suo motu cognizance (on its own motion) of the controversial statement, the high court's division bench of justices Atul Shridharan and Anuradha Shukla ordered the police to register an FIR (First Information Report) against Vijay.
The court directed the police to file the FIR on Wednesday and asked to be informed about compliance with its order.
The minister has moved the Supreme Court to challenge the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s May order directing police to register an FIR against him.
Colonel Qureshi held regular press briefings, joined by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, to provide details of 'Operation Sindoor,' launched by the Indian armed forces in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
