Demands for Sacking Minister Gain Momentum After Controversial Statement
Indore, May 14 – The Congress party held protests in Indore on Wednesday, demanding the dismissal of Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah from the state cabinet over his controversial remarks allegedly targeting Colonel Sofia Qureshi. Shah, who currently serves as the Tribal Affairs Minister, has faced widespread backlash for his comments, which were interpreted as attempting to link Col Qureshi to terrorists.The protest, spearheaded by the Congress Mahila Morcha (women's wing), took place at Regal Square where party workers raised slogans against Shah and burned his effigy. Protesters carried a large banner depicting Colonel Qureshi as "Bharat ki Sherni" (India's tigress), lauding her contributions to the armed forces.
City Congress president Surjit Singh Chaddha strongly condemned Shah’s remarks, calling them "very objectionable" and demanding that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav remove Shah from the cabinet immediately.
Reverence Shown for Col Qureshi Amid Outrage
In a parallel protest in another part of the city, Congress workers poured milk over a picture of Col Qureshi as a symbolic gesture of reverence. The demonstrators reiterated their demand for the minister’s immediate removal and expressed support for the decorated officer who gained national attention during Operation Sindoor.Colonel Qureshi was seen conducting regular press briefings during Operation Sindoor, a military retaliation following the Pahalgam terror attack. She appeared alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during the official briefings.
The Controversial Statement
Minister Vijay Shah had made the remarks on Monday during a public event in Mhow. Referring to the recent terror incident in Pahalgam, he stated, “These people (terrorists) who had wiped out the sindoor (vermilion) of our sisters... We avenged these 'kate-pite' people by sending their sister to destroy them.” The statement has drawn criticism for being derogatory and misleading in its implication toward Col Qureshi.The controversy continues to escalate, with growing calls for accountability and action against the minister.
