Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A day after the Supreme Court asked the Madhya Pradesh government to decide whether to grant sanction to prosecute Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah over his remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, PCC chief Jitu Patwari urged the BJP to act as per the apex court’s directions.
‘Seek Vijay Shah’s resignation’
While briefing the media, Patwari said, “Maananiya Uchchtam Nyayalaya ke spasht nirdesh ke baad Mukhyamantri Mohan Yadav ko Mantri Vijay Shah ka turant isteefa lena chahiye! Saath hi FIR darj kar mukadme ki prakriya shuru karni chahiye!....(After the clear directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav should immediately seek the resignation of Minister Vijay Shah. At the same time, an FIR should be registered and legal proceedings should be initiated.).”
Patwari further said that if the Mohan government doesn’t obey SC’s orders, it’s evident that it does not respect the apex court.
“Yadi aisa nahi kiya jaata, to yeh spasht hoga ki Mohan sarkar nyayalaya ko bhi nahi maanti hai!....(If this is not done, it will clearly show that the Mohan government does not even respect the court).”
IYC blacks out minister Shah’s nameplate
Members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) staged a demonstration in Bhopal on Tuesday against minister Vijay Shah over his alleged remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi. During the protest, the demonstrators blackened the minister’s nameplate at his official bungalow.
IYC workers, led by Bhopal district president Amit Khatri, blacked out the nameplate and splashed black ink on the main gate of the minister’s official residence.
Khatri alleged that the state government was trying to protect the minister despite his remarks, which he said insulted Col Qureshi, an officer who gained nationwide prominence during media briefings on Operation Sindoor. The protesters claimed that the government has been shielding the minister for the past six months.
What was the matter?
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Madhya Pradesh government to decide within 2 weeks whether to grant permission to prosecute Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah over his controversial remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Qureshi had briefed the media during 2025 Operation Sindoor. After this Shah had said, “India sent their (terrorists’) sister in response to the Pahalgam massacre,” in which 26 people were killed.
This statement went viral on social media, leading to nationwide outrage.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also expressed disappointment with the state government’s failure to act on the prosecution sanction sought by the court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The court also rejected Vijay Shah’s apology, stating that it was ‘too late.’
