“Linguistic Mistake”: Madhya Pradesh Minister’s Recent Apology Over Colonel Comment

Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah on Friday issued a recent apology for his objectionable remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, calling it a “linguistic mistake”, and mentioned he didn’t intend to offend any spiritual group.

In a video message, the minister, who’s already going through a probe for his contentious feedback, “sincerely apologised to your complete Indian Military, sister Colonel Sophia and all of the countrymen”. 

“I’m deeply saddened and disturbed by the heinous bloodbath that befell in Pahalgam just a few days in the past. I’ve all the time had immense love for my nation and respect for the Indian Military,” Mr Shah, who’s the state’s minister for tribal affairs, mentioned within the 44-second video. 

“My phrases have harm the group, faith and countrymen. It was my linguistic mistake. I did not imply to harm or offend any faith, caste or group. I sincerely apologise to your complete Indian Military, sister Colonel Sophia and all of the countrymen for the phrases I mentioned by mistake and I as soon as once more apologise with folded palms,” he added. 

Final week, Mr Shah got here below hearth over his remarks on Colonel Qureshi, who gained prominence together with one other girl officer, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, throughout media briefings on Operation Sindoor earlier this month. 

Referring to the Pahalgam terror assault, which claimed 26 lives and resulted in Operation Sindoor, the minister mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “despatched their [terrorists’] sister” – a veiled reference to Colonel Qureshi – aboard a army plane to retaliate in opposition to these accountable.

“They [terrorists] made our sisters widows, so Modi ji despatched a sister of their group to strip them and educate them a lesson. “They undressed our Hindu brothers earlier than killing them. We responded by sending their very own sister to hit them of their homes,” he mentioned, in an obvious reference to Colonel Qureshi.

He made the remarks – broadly perceived as communal, gendered and derogatory – whereas addressing a neighborhood occasion in Raikunda village in Indore on Might 12. 

As Mr Shah’s feedback triggered a nationwide uproar, he mentioned he was able to apologise “10 instances”. 

“Sister Sofia has introduced glory to India by rising above caste and faith. She is extra revered than our personal sister. I salute her for her service to the nation. We can’t even consider insulting her in our goals. Nonetheless, if my phrases have harm society and faith, then I’m able to apologise ten instances,” he mentioned.

The Madhya Pradesh Excessive Courtroom, nonetheless, rebuked the minister for passing “scurrilous” remarks and utilizing “language of the gutters” in opposition to Colonel Qureshi and ordered the registration of a First Data Report (FIR) on grounds of selling enmity and hatred in opposition to him. Subsequently, the state police constituted a three-member Particular Investigation Staff (SIT) to probe the matter.

The minister’s remarks additionally got here below criticism of the Supreme Courtroom, which mentioned that people occupying constitutional positions ought to train restraint throughout their speeches. 

“What kind of feedback are you making? You need to present some sense of sensibility. Go and apologise within the Excessive Courtroom,” Chief Justice of India BR Gavai mentioned, because the court docket refused to remain the Excessive Courtroom’s order on registration of an FIR in opposition to the minister.