Madhya Pradesh Tribal Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah stirred controversy with objectionable comments about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a prominent figure in India’s Operation Sindoor against terrorism in Pakistan. During an event in Mhow, Shah referred to Colonel Qureshi as a “sister of Pakistani terrorists,” which immediately sparked backlash from Congress and other political figures.
The BJP leader’s remarks, which involved an inflammatory comparison between Qureshi and Pakistani terrorists, were widely condemned as shameful and insulting. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other party leaders demanded that Shah be removed from his post for disrespecting the Indian Armed Forces and the bravery of Colonel Qureshi.
Shah, in his statement, went on to claim that his words were distorted. After facing a massive online backlash, he clarified that he respected the actions of the Indian Armed Forces and Colonel Qureshi, calling her a “sister” who had elevated India’s prestige.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an esteemed officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, became one of the key figures during the media briefings of Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror hideouts in Pakistan. A trailblazer in her field, she made history in 2016 as the first Indian woman to command an Army contingent at a major international military exercise.
The controversy ignited further discussions about the respect for the armed forces and the divisive political rhetoric surrounding national security issues.
