Indore, February 7: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah has once again issued an unconditional apology regarding his controversial remarks about Colonel Sofia Qureshi of the Indian Army. This apology comes at a time when the Supreme Court is set to hear the case.
The controversy began last May when a video clip of Shah’s speech at a public event in Raikunda village, Indore district, went viral. In the clip, Shah allegedly made derogatory comments about Colonel Qureshi, who is widely recognized for her role in providing media briefings during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ India’s military response to terrorist attacks.
His comments faced widespread criticism for being disrespectful, communal, and offensive towards a female officer, the Indian Army, and certain communities. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had previously reprimanded Shah for using “derogatory remarks” and “indecent language,” ordering an FIR against him.
The Supreme Court later took cognizance of the matter and formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the issue. The court dismissed Shah’s earlier apology as “fake tears,” emphasizing the need for accountability.
On January 19, the Supreme Court directed the Madhya Pradesh government to decide on prosecution approval under relevant sections within two weeks. As the deadline approached, Shah invited select journalists to the Residency Bungalow in Indore to clarify his statement and reiterate his apology.
During the media interaction, he stated that his words were spoken in a “spirit of patriotism.” Shah clarified that he did not intend to insult any female officer, the Indian Army, or any specific community. He reiterated, “I have said this many times before, and I am repeating it today.”
He emphasized, “There was no intention to insult any female officer, the Indian Army, or any section of society in my words. It is crucial to exercise restraint and sensitivity in public life.”
Shah also mentioned that he has reflected on the incident, accepted responsibility, and vowed to exercise greater control over his language in the future. He assured, “Such a mistake will not happen again,” and specifically apologized to all citizens associated with the armed forces.