Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, May 23: Days after the Supreme Court turned down his apology and ordered forming a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into his remarks, the Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah on Friday issued a fresh apology for his objectionable remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, calling it a “linguistic mistake” and said he did not intend to offend any religious community.
In a video message, the minister, who is already facing a probe for his contentious comments, “sincerely apologised to the entire Indian Army, sister Colonel Sophia and all the countrymen.”
He said he was deeply saddened and disturbed by the gruesome massacre that took place in Pahalgam earlier. “I have always had immense love for my nation and respect for the Indian Army. The words spoken by me have hurt the community, religion and countrymen, it was my linguistic mistake,” Mr Shah said in a video statement on X.
“My intention was not to hurt or offend any religion, caste or community. I sincerely apologize to the entire Indian Army, Sister Colonel Sophia and all the countrymen for the words I said inadvertently and once again with folded hands I apologize,” the Cabinet Minister further said.
Last week, Mr Shah came under fire over his remarks on Colonel Qureshi, who gained prominence along with another woman officer, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, during media briefings on Operation Sindoor earlier this month. Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack, Mr Shah had commented that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “sent their [terrorists’] sister” – a veiled reference to Colonel Qureshi – aboard a military aircraft to retaliate against those responsible.
“They [terrorists] made our sisters widows, so Modi ji sent a sister of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson. “They undressed our Hindu brothers before killing them. We responded by sending their own sister to hit them in their houses,” he said, in an apparent reference to Colonel Qureshi.
On May 20 at the behest of the Supreme Court, the SIT was formed to probe the FIR filed against Mr Shah on the orders of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Sagar Inspector General (IG) of Police Pramod Verma, who is heading the SIT, said the team has started its investigation into the matter and is gathering evidence at the moment.
Another IPS officer Vahini Singh, who is part of the SIT, said Mr Shah is yet to be called for questioning and that the probe team “is yet to reach that aspect of the investigation.” While the two officers did not share details of the probe, Mr Verma said a report will be submitted to the Supreme Court on the next hearing scheduled on May 28. “I cannot comment on the elements of the investigation given the sensitivity of the case,” he said.
Mr Shah, State’s Minister for Tribal Affairs, Public Asset Management, and Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation, has been facing the flak since his May 12 remarks at public event in Mhow near Indore, in which he allegedly implied that Colonel Qureshi was a “sister” of the Pahalgam terror attackers because she belonged to the same community as that of the terrorists.
With the opposition Congress demanding his dismissal from the Cabinet and the courts condemning the remarks, Mr Shah has been keeping a low profile and also missed a crucial Cabinet meeting held at Indore’s historical Rajwada on May 20.
Meanwhile, the Congress has already raised questions over the credibility of the SIT, while alleging that some of the officers have worked under Mr Shah in the past and asking if the probe was a “campaign” to protect Mr Shah. “Is the government playing hide and seek in the name of submitting the report to the Supreme Court?” Umang Singhar, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, had asked earlier.
As his remarks caused nation-wide uproar, Mr Shah had said he was ready to apologise not once but 10 times. “Sister Sofia has brought glory to India by rising above caste and religion. She is more respected than our own sister. I salute her for her service to the nation. We cannot even think of insulting her in our dreams. Still, if my words have hurt society and religion, then I am ready to apologise ten times,” he said.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court, however, rebuked the minister for passing “scurrilous” remarks and using “language of the gutters” against Colonel Qureshi and ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on grounds of promoting enmity and hatred against him. Subsequently, the state police constituted the SIT to probe the matter.
The minister’s remarks also came under criticism of the Supreme Court, which said that individuals occupying constitutional positions should exercise restraint during their speeches.
“What sort of comments are you making? You should show some sense of sensibility. Go and apologise in the High Court,” Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said, as the court refused to stay the High Court’s order to register an FIR against Mr Shah.
