The Congress party on Tuesday launched a strong attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over alleged objectionable remarks made by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a prominent face during the media briefings on Operation Sindoor. The party has demanded Shah's immediate removal from office.
A video shared by the Congress shows Vijay Shah allegedly making a controversial statement: "Jinhone humari betiyon ke sindoor ujade the… humne unhiki behen bhej kar ke unki aisi ki taisi karwayi" ("Those who wiped the sindoor from our daughters' foreheads... we sent their sister to teach them a lesson").
The comments, widely interpreted as a reference to Colonel Qureshi, sparked outrage across opposition ranks and civil society. Shah later attempted to clarify his remarks, stating that they were being "twisted" and misinterpreted.
“I respect the Indian armed forces for their actions following the Pahalgam terror attack that caused immense grief to the families of our brave women. I did not intend any disrespect. Col Qureshi is like a sister who has brought honour to the nation, and my remarks should not be viewed in any other light. We continue to respect her,” said Shah in a statement following the backlash.
Despite his clarification, Congress leaders condemned the comments in strong terms.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the BJP minister had made "extremely insulting, shameful and vulgar remarks" against a brave officer of the Indian Army. He highlighted the unity of the nation during Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
“The terrorists in Pahalgam tried to divide the country, but during Operation Sindoor, the entire nation stood united in giving them a befitting reply. And yet, BJP leaders continue to expose their anti-women mindset,” Kharge said.
Kharge also pointed out a pattern in BJP's behaviour, accusing the party of targeting women associated with the armed forces. “First they trolled the wife of the naval officer martyred in Pahalgam, then harassed the daughter of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and now they are making obscene comments about our braveheart Colonel Sofiya Qureshi,” he said, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dismiss Vijay Shah immediately.
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Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera called the remarks “completely unpardonable,” accusing the BJP of disrespecting the armed forces. "These pseudo-nationalists have no respect for our brave soldiers,” he posted on X, while questioning whether the Prime Minister's Office or BJP President JP Nadda would take any disciplinary action.
Mohammad Jawed, Congress MP from Kishanganj in Bihar, echoed similar sentiments, saying: “Calling the brave daughters of our Army ‘sisters of terrorists’ is not just vile — it's treasonous. BJP minister Vijay Shah’s statement shames every Indian. Will PM Modi take action or reward him like others before him? Apologise or admit you endorse this filth,” he demanded.
In an official statement, the Congress party expressed its outrage: “These disgusting remarks by BJP minister Vijay Shah insult not just Colonel Qureshi but the entire Indian Army. This shameful statement describes the daughters of India as sisters of terrorists. It is an unforgivable insult.”
The party posed direct questions to the BJP: “Will Vijay Shah be asked to resign? Will PM Modi and other BJP leaders apologise for this regressive mindset? Or will Shah be rewarded and rallies held in his honour, as has happened in previous cases?”
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Former MP and Congress leader Danish Ali also condemned the remarks, calling them "a reflection of an anti-national mentality." In a post on X, Ali accused BJP leaders of “seeing religion even in army uniforms.” He said, “Col Sofiya Qureshi is a daughter of India, a symbol of our army's pride. Calling her the sister of terrorists is an insult to the entire military. This is poisonous fanaticism.”
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury described Shah’s comments as “obnoxious and shameful.” “This should result in his immediate dismissal. Operation Sindoor was meant to bring justice for our sisters. The entire country supported it. But the BJP-RSS mindset remains deeply anti-women,” she said.
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed also criticised the minister and the party leadership. “Vijay Shah, a close aide of Narendra Modi, is calling Col Sofiya Qureshi the ‘sister of Pahalgam terrorists.’ A highly decorated officer is being insulted solely because of her religion. When will Narendra Modi act against him?” she asked.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army became a prominent face during Operation Sindoor. She, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, flanked Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during official press briefings. Both officers regularly delivered joint statements from the armed forces and the government on the military operation.
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