Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh tribal affairs minister Vijay Shah released a video on social media on Saturday, apologizing for making offensive comments against Colonel Sophia Qureshi, two days before the Supreme Court heard the case against her.
Vijay Shah’s fourth apology for offensive remarks against an Indian Army officerThis is the fourth time he has issued an apology to Qureshi, the Indian Army officer who, along with Wing Commander Byomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, briefed the media on May 12, 2026 after Operation Sindoor – India’s retaliation against Pakistan for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
On January 18, the Supreme Court directed the Madhya Pradesh government to take a decision within two weeks on whether to approve a case related to a First Information Report (FIR) registered against Shah. The hearing will be held on February 9.
Shah, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), communalised Qureshi’s presence at the briefing and sparked controversy while addressing an event in Indore on 12 May. “Those who have widowed our daughters, we have sent one of our own sisters to teach them a lesson. By sending the sisters of your community to Pakistan, the honor and respect of the country and the marital happiness of our sisters can be avenged,” he said. His comments sparked public outrage.
Shah released the video after meeting senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders at the party’s state office in Bhopal on Saturday.
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“As I have said many times before, I had no intention to insult any woman officer, Indian Army or any section of society. These words were definitely not in line with my sentiments. These words were uttered in passion, excitement and patriotic fervor. The sentiment behind the mistake should be considered. You all know that I had no say in the Shah video.”
“I sincerely apologise. I have done it many times. I am doing it again today. It is extremely painful for me that such a controversy has arisen out of my small mistake. I am confident that my feelings will be seen in the right context. I have always had and will always have respect for the Indian Army,” he added.
“In public life, decorum and sensitivity of such words are very important. I have introspected this incident. I have learned a lesson. I accept responsibility. I will control my speech in future. Such mistakes will not happen again. Again, I sincerely apologize to all citizens, Indian Army and all involved in this matter,” the minister said.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court have taken serious note of Shah’s objectionable comments on Colonel Qureshi. An FIR was registered against him on the orders of the high court, while the apex court constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
On January 18, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Dipankar Dutta and Jayamalya Bagchi directed the state government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of senior officers. The SIT submitted its report to the state government seeking approval, which is mandatory for courts to consider offenses under Section 196 of the Indian Code of Justice, 2023. The court was informed that the state government has not taken any decision on the approval request as the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.
However, the CJI had already said that it was too late for any apology after Shah’s lawyer informed the court about the previous three apologies.
