Colonel Sofia Qureshi, Our Sister! Flood of Support on Social Media: Congress Workers Blacken Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah’s Signboard

Bhopal- Colonel Sofia Qureshi, a distinguished officer of the Indian Army who elevated the nation’s pride through her role in briefing the media on ‘Operation Sindoor,’ has become the center of a nationwide controversy. Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah’s alleged remark calling Colonel Qureshi “the sister of Pakistanis and terrorists” has sparked outrage across social media platforms.

The statement, made during a government event in Mhow, Indore district, on May 12, went viral, leading to widespread condemnation. Although Shah did not directly name Qureshi, the public has interpreted the comment as an insult to the Army and the nation’s daughter, prompting demands for action against the BJP minister. On Tuesday night, Congress workers blackened Shah’s signboard at his bungalow in Bhopal and staged a protest with fierce sloganeering.

Addressing a public gathering in Mhow, Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. However, his remarks took a controversial turn when he referred to ‘Operation Sindoor,’ stating, “Those who widowed our daughters in Pahalgam, we sent a sister from their own community to teach them a lesson.” He further added, “Modi ji couldn’t strip them naked, so he sent a sister from their society to ensure they were left humiliated.” These comments, widely perceived as targeting Colonel Sofia Qureshi, who briefed the media alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ were deemed communal and derogatory. The remarks have been condemned as an affront to the Indian Army and women’s empowerment.

BJP’s Response and Shah’s Clarification

Following the public outcry, Madhya Pradesh BJP chief V.D. Sharma summoned Vijay Shah for a closed-door meeting on the evening of May 13. After the meeting, Shah issued a clarification, stating that his remarks were taken out of context and misunderstood. He apologized, emphasizing his respect for Colonel Qureshi. “We respect the actions taken by the Indian forces in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Colonel Sofia Qureshi has made the nation proud. We respect both the sisters,” Shah said. He further urged the public not to view his speech in a different context, asserting, “They are our sisters and have avenged the attack with great strength alongside the Army.”

Congress’s Reaction and Protests

The Opposition Congress reacted sharply, accusing Shah of insulting not only women in uniform but the entire armed forces. Sharing a video clip of Shah’s speech on X, Congress labeled his remarks as calling Indian Army officers “sisters of terrorists.” Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari, addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Bhopal, called Shah’s statement “disgusting” and an insult to the Army. He demanded Shah’s immediate dismissal from the cabinet, stating, “If Chief Minister Mohan Yadav fails to sack Shah, it will be seen as the state cabinet endorsing his indecent and communal remarks.” Patwari also highlighted Shah’s past, noting that he was removed from the cabinet in 2013 for making lewd remarks about former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s wife, Sadhna Singh.

On the night of May 13, Congress workers escalated their protest by blackening the signboard at Vijay Shah’s bungalow in Bhopal and holding a demonstration with strong sloganeering, demanding accountability for the minister’s remarks.

The controversy ignited a flood of support for Colonel Sofia Qureshi on social media platform X, with verified handles of prominent politicians, journalists, and the Congress party condemning Shah’s remarks. MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari said, " “BJP and the Chief Minister must clarify – do they agree with Vijay Shah’s statement? If not, sack this loudmouth minister immediately!”

INC issued sharp condemnation and demanded action from the BJP, in a post: “The daughters who shook Pakistan’s army, BJP minister Vijay Shah has used highly objectionable words for them. Vijay Shah is a cabinet minister in Madhya Pradesh, and the collective responsibility lies with the cabinet. CM Mohan Yadav must clarify if Vijay Shah’s statement has the agreement of the entire BJP and cabinet. If BJP disagrees, Vijay Shah must be sacked immediately. Using such words for the daughters who elevated our nation’s pride is an insult to both them and the Army. It is an insult to the entire nation.” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also took to X to express his dissent over the comment.