'Expected To Speak With Responsibility': SC Slams MP Minister Vijay Shah For Controversial Remarks Against Col Sofiya Qureshi
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kunwar Vijay Shah for his controversial remarks against Indian Army Officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media about Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Shah approached the top court against the Madhya Pradesh High Court's May 14 order in which it ordered registration of an FIR against him.
The SC agreed to hear Shah's plea challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order on Friday, May 16. Taking suo motu cognisance of the controversial statement, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday ordered police to register an FIR against the minister.
The FIR was registered against the minister under sections 152, 196(1)(b), and 197(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) after the High Court order. A division bench of the High Court had taken suo motu cognisance against him and directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to lodge an immediate FIR.
Video Of Shah's Controversial Remark:
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's office said that the CM had directed authorities to take action against Shah. "Following the order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the Chief Minister has given instructions to take action regarding the statement of Cabinet Minister Vijay Shah," the CMO office said.
The high court had also said that if the FIR is not registered by Wednesday evening, the Court may contemplate proceeding against the Director General of Police of the State for contempt of the order.
"The statement made by Minister Vijay Shah prima facie has the propensity to cause disharmony and feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will between the members of the Muslim faith and other persons who do not belong to the same religion," the court observed as stated in the order copy.
The HC also directed the AG Office to transmit the order forthwith to the Office of the Director General of Police of the State and ensure that it is done.
Madhya Pradesh HC's Order:
The controversy erupted after a video clip of Shah's speech went viral on social media. Though Shah did not name any individual while praising PM Modi for India’s strong retaliation against terrorists in Pakistan, his remarks were widely interpreted as an indirect reference to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. She became the face of Operation Sindoor after presenting India’s perspective to the world regarding its response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
He later apologised for his remarks. Shah said his comments were taken out of context and were meant to praise Colonel Qureshi's bravery.
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