‘Unke Samaj ki Behen ko Bheja’: BJP Minister’s Remark on Col. Sofia Qureshi Sparks Outrage: Video
Bhopal: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah has landed in controversy over his remarks targeting senior Army officer Colonel Sofia Qureshi, accusing her of having ties with terrorist groups. His comments have sparked strong backlash from opposition parties and civil society.
Table of Contents
Controversial Remarks at Government Function Near Mhow
During a speech at a government event near Mhow on Tuesday, May 13, Shah referred to the recent Pahalgam terror attack and controversially said, “Those who widowed our daughters, we sent a sister of their own [Col. Sofia Qureshi] to teach them a lesson.” He went further, saying Prime Minister Modi could have chosen the same communal tactics as the terrorists but instead “sent a sister from their society” to retaliate.
In a widely circulated video of the event, Shah added, “If you widowed our sisters, a sister of yours will come and undress you,” referring to India’s response to the attack. The comments were met with applause from the audience but drew condemnation online and from political leaders.
Congress Demands Shah’s Removal
Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafiz strongly condemned the remarks, stating that Shah had “crossed all limits of communalism” and called for his immediate dismissal from office. “The statement on Col. Sofia Qureshi is offensive and an insult to women and the armed forces. This is not the first time he has made such inflammatory remarks,” Hafiz added.
Shah Offers Clarification
In response to the backlash, Shah attempted to clarify his statement, saying, “Some people are taking my statement in a different context. I did not mean it that way. She (Col. Qureshi) is my sister and she has avenged the acts of the terrorists.”
Col. Sofia Qureshi’s Distinguished Service Record
Colonel Sofia Qureshi is a highly respected officer in the Indian Army, known for her trailblazing service. Alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, Col. Qureshi recently addressed the international community regarding Operation Sindoor, India’s counterterrorism response to the Pahalgam attack launched on April 7.
In 2016, Qureshi made history by becoming the first Indian woman to lead an all-male contingent in a multinational military exercise, earning accolades both domestically and internationally.
Growing Calls for Accountability
As criticism mounts, social media users and veterans have called for greater accountability and respect toward armed forces personnel, especially women who have broken barriers. Shah’s remarks are being seen as part of a wider pattern of communal and sexist rhetoric that continues to plague political discourse.
It remains to be seen whether the BJP leadership will take disciplinary action or further clarify its stance on the minister’s controversial statement.
