Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Vijay Shah Sparked Controversy With Remarks About Colonel Sophia Qureshi
Madhya Pradesh BJP minister Vijay Shah sparked controversy with remarks about Colonel Sofia Qureshi, an Indian Army officer involved in Operation Sindoor. Shah allegedly referred to her as the “sister of terrorists” during a public speech in Indore, implying her inclusion in the operation was to “destroy Pakistan” using “their own sister” from the same religion.
The comments drew widespread condemnation from the Congress party, which labeled them as “vulgar,” “insulting,” and an attack on women, religion, and the Army.
Congress leaders demanded Shah’s dismissal from the cabinet, calling the remarks derogatory and communal. Shah, a senior BJP leader and Tribal Welfare Minister, claimed his speech was taken out of context and offered to apologize, but the BJP distanced itself from the statement, with state president V.D. Sharma issuing instructions to Shah. The controversy has fueled political tensions, with social media posts reflecting public outrage and accusations of disrespect toward a decorated officer.
Who is Sofiya Qureshi?
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is an Indian Army officer who gained prominence for her role in media briefings for Operation Sindoor, a military operation launched in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack.
Commissioned in 1994 into the Army Signal Corps, she has been featured alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, communicating details of the operation, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Recently, she has at the center of a controversy due to remarks by BJP leader Vijay Shah, who referred to her in a communal context, sparking widespread backlash.
Overview of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a senior officer in the Indian Army, recognized for her significant role in media briefings during Operation Sindoor, a military operation launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025. As of May 14, 2025, she has been at the center of a political controversy due to remarks made by BJP leader Vijay Shah, which sparked widespread debate.
Below is a detailed profile based on available information from recent reports and social media discussions.
Background and Military Career
● Commission and Service:
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi was commissioned into the Indian Army’s Signal Corps in 1994. The Signal Corps is responsible for military communications and information systems, a critical component of modern warfare.
● Role in Operation Sindoor:
Qureshi gained national prominence for her involvement in media briefings alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Operation Sindoor was India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, involving precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Her role included communicating the operation’s objectives and progress to the public, showcasing her as a key figure in the Indian Army’s public-facing efforts.
● Recognition:
Qureshi is described as a decorated officer who has brought pride to the nation through her service. Her contributions have been highlighted by both military and civilian leaders, with BJP state president V.D. Sharma referring to her as a “daughter of the country” in response to the recent controversy Free Press Journal.
Personal Details
● Hometown:
Qureshi hails from Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, as evidenced by BJP leaders visiting her family’s residence in the city to address the controversy Free Press Journal.
● Cultural Context:
While specific personal details such as her date of birth or family background are not publicly detailed in the sources, her Muslim identity became a focal point in the controversy, as Vijay Shah’s remarks were interpreted as communal in nature.
● Recent Controversy
On May 13, 2025, Madhya Pradesh BJP minister Vijay Shah made controversial remarks about Qureshi during a public speech in Indore. Shah’s statements, reported by India Today, included phrases like,
“Those who wiped sindoor off our daughters’ forehead… we sent their sister to teach them a lesson,” implying Qureshi’s involvement in Operation Sindoor was tied to her religious identity. The remarks were widely criticized as derogatory, communal, and disrespectful to a serving military officer.
● Political Reactions:
The Congress party condemned Shah’s comments as “vulgar” and “insulting,” demanding his dismissal from the cabinet. Leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Pawan Khera called the remarks “treasonous” and an attack on the Indian Army .
● BJP’s Response:
The BJP distanced itself from Shah’s statement, with state president V.D. Sharma emphasizing that Qureshi is a respected figure and that the party does not endorse such remarks. Shah was summoned for a meeting, and BJP leaders visited Qureshi’s family to mitigate the fallout Free Press Journal.
● Shah’s Apology:
Shah apologized multiple times, claiming his words were misinterpreted and that he holds Qureshi in high regard, stating, “Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is more than a real sister for me” Times of India.