Congress slams BJP over MP minister's objectionable remarks on Col Sofiya Qureshi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said a minister of the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh made 'extremely insulting, shameful and vulgar remarks' about Colonel Qureshi.

New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah has triggered a controversy with a derogatory, sexist and communal remark against Colonel Sofia Qureshi, prompting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to demand his sacking from the Mohan Yadav-led government.

Addressing a function, Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a symbolic step of sending "a sister from their community" to confront those responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people were killed.

Shah did not mention Colonel Qureshi, who was one of the two military officials tasked by the government to brief the media after launching 'Operation Sindoor' against Pakistan, by name. He also made derogatory comments while referring to Colonel Qureshi.

Congress shared the video in which Shah is heard making objectionable remarks, "those who wiped sindoor (vermilion) off our daughters' forehead, we sent their sister to teach them a lesson. Give applause to Modi-ji for this.”

The attack on Qureshi comes close on the heels of right-wing trolls attacking Himanshi Narwal, widow of a naval officer killed in Pahalgam, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his daughter. Narwal was attacked on social media as she advocated peace, while Misri and family faced trouble after the announcement of ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Kharge said a BJP minister has made "extremely insulting, shameful and vulgar" remarks about "our brave daughter Colonel Sofia Qureshi."

"The terrorists of Pahalgam wanted to divide the country, but the country was united throughout 'Operation Sindoor' in giving a befitting reply to the terrorists. The mentality of BJP-RSS has always been anti-women...Modi-ji should immediately dismiss such a minister," he said.

Kharge also said first, they trolled the wife of the naval officer martyred in Pahalgam on social media, then harassed the daughter of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and now BJP ministers are "making such indecent comments about our braveheart Sofia Qureshi".

Shah later claimed his remarks were twisted by some sections and said, “I don't want to say anything to those who are twisting my remarks. She is a sister who has enhanced our prestige, it should not be seen in any other context. We respect her and will continue to do so.”