Indore, February 8: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah has once again issued an unconditional apology regarding his controversial remarks about Colonel Sofia Quraishi of the Indian Army. This apology comes as the Supreme Court is set to hear the case.
The controversy began last May when a video clip of Minister Shah’s speech at a public event in Raikunda village, Indore district, went viral. In the clip, Shah allegedly made derogatory comments about Colonel Quraishi, who is well-known for her media briefings during “Operation Sindoor,” a military response to terrorist attacks in India.
His comments faced widespread criticism for being disrespectful, communal, and offensive towards a female officer and the Indian Army, as well as certain communities.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court had previously reprimanded Shah for using “derogatory remarks” and “indecent language,” ordering the filing of 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” and emphasized accountability.
On January 19, the Supreme Court directed the Madhya Pradesh government to decide within two weeks on granting prosecution approval under relevant sections. As the deadline approached, Shah called a select group of journalists to clarify his statement and reiterate his apology.
In his media interaction, he stated that his words were spoken in a moment of “patriotic fervor.” He clarified that he did not intend to insult any female officer, the Indian Army, or any specific community. “I have said this multiple times before, and I reiterate it today,” he added.
Shah emphasized, “There was no intention to offend any female officer, the Indian Army, or any section of society. Restraint and sensitivity in language are crucial in public life.” He 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 extended his apologies specifically to all citizens associated with the armed forces.
Leave a Comment