MP Minister Vijay Shah Offers Fourth Apology Ahead of SC Hearing

Madhya Pradesh tribal affairs minister Vijay Shah on Saturday issued his fourth public apology for objectionable remarks made against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, just two days ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on the matter. Shah released a video statement on social media, expressing regret and seeking to clarify his intent.

The controversy stems from remarks Shah made on May 12 during a public program in Indore, shortly after Colonel Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, briefed the media on Operation Sindoor—India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. His comments, which communalized Qureshi’s role in the briefing, triggered widespread outrage and legal scrutiny.

In his latest apology, Shah said he had no intention of insulting any woman officer, the Indian Army, or any section of society. He claimed the remarks were made in the heat of patriotic emotion and did not reflect his true feelings. Acknowledging the impact of his words, he said he had introspected and would exercise greater restraint in public speech going forward.

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Shah’s video apology came a day after he met senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders at the party’s state office in Bhopal. He reiterated that he had apologized multiple times and described the controversy as personally painful, adding that he has always held the Indian Army in high regard.

The legal case against Shah is being closely monitored by the judiciary. The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Madhya Pradesh government to decide within two weeks whether to grant sanction for his prosecution in connection with an FIR registered under court orders. The matter is scheduled to be heard on February 9.

Both the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court have taken serious note of Shah’s remarks. An FIR was filed following high court directions, and the apex court constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The SIT has submitted its report to the state government, seeking sanction required under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, though no decision has yet been taken. Notably, the Chief Justice of India had earlier remarked that it was “too late” to tender an apology after Shah’s counsel cited his previous apologies before the court.

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