Chirag Paswan Condemns Vijay Shah’s Remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
Union Minister Chirag Paswan has come down heavily on Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Vijay Shah for his controversial remarks targeting Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The backlash comes in the wake of Shah’s public address where he linked the decorated army officer to terrorists—a statement that has sparked outrage across the political and judicial spectrum.
Chirag Paswan’s Strong Rebuke
Speaking to the media in Patna, Paswan expressed deep disapproval over Shah’s language, calling it disgraceful and unacceptable. He stated, “We are proud of our Army personnel. Anybody who equates them with terrorists deserves condemnation. Had such a person been in my party, he would have been expelled for life.”
Paswan also stressed that the armed forces are a symbol of national pride, and any disparaging comment against them must be dealt with stringently, regardless of party affiliation.
The Vijay Shah Controversy
Vijay Shah had triggered controversy during a public speech where he allegedly referred to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as being from a “terrorist community” while attempting to highlight her achievements in Operation Sindoor. Although Shah later claimed it was a “slip of the tongue,” his remarks have been widely condemned as communal and defamatory.
Despite his retraction, the statement has led to widespread calls for action, especially considering Colonel Qureshi’s stature as one of India’s pioneering female officers in combat operations.
Supreme Court Takes Serious View
The matter reached the Supreme Court, which rejected Shah’s apology and called it “crocodile tears.” The court observed that the remarks brought “national shame” and ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of senior IPS officers to probe the issue further.
The apex court has asked for a detailed status report by May 28 and indicated that such language from public representatives cannot go unchecked.
Political Fallout and Opposition Demands
The Congress party and other opposition groups have demanded Vijay Shah’s resignation and criminal prosecution. Congress leaders in Bhopal have called for him to be charged with sedition and removed from office, accusing the BJP of shielding individuals who demean the nation’s armed forces.
They also criticized the ruling party’s silence and questioned whether a similar remark against a male officer would have gone equally unaddressed.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s Contributions
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi holds a distinguished place in Indian military history. She became the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in a United Nations peacekeeping mission and has since been involved in several high-risk operations, including the recent Operation Sindoor. Her leadership and bravery have earned her numerous accolades and she remains an icon of India’s growing inclusion of women in combat roles.
Her dignity and silence in the face of political insults have only earned her more public admiration.
