The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has opted to stand by Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah, who is under political fire for controversial comments allegedly referencing Colonel Sofiya Qureshi in the context of the Pahalgam terror attack. Following late-night internal discussions involving top party leadership, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav signaled there would be no resignation, emphasizing alignment with judicial decisions rather than public pressure.

Political Firestorm Over Controversial Remark

On May 12, during a public event in Mau, Minister Vijay Shah made a statement saying India taught a lesson to the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack using “their own sister”. While no individual was directly named, the Congress party accused Shah of referring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a key Indian Army officer involved in Operation Sindoor.

Colonel Qureshi is celebrated for her role in counter-terrorism operations, and the remark—perceived as communal and derogatory by critics—sparked outrage on social media and calls for Shah’s resignation from the cabinet.

BJP Leadership Closes Ranks Behind Shah

Senior BJP leaders, including CM Mohan Yadav, State President V. D. Sharma, and Organisation General Secretary Hitanand Sharma, convened a closed-door meeting late on Wednesday to evaluate the damage and decide on Shah’s political future. According to insiders, there was consensus within the party not to demand Shah’s resignation, citing the absence of a High Court directive and strategic political considerations.

“There would be a line of ministers under fire by the Congress. The BJP shouldn’t come under pressure in such a situation,” said a senior BJP functionary. The party fears that yielding to Congress demands would set a precedent, embolden the opposition, and alienate tribal voters, given Shah's status as a senior tribal leader.

CM Mohan Yadav’s Blunt Response

Speaking to reporters in Bhopal, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav distanced the government from the controversy by citing judicial guidance:
“The honourable court has given its order and our government has followed the decision. We will keep walking on the path set by the court,” he said.

The CM further attacked the Congress for what he described as selective outrage:
“Congress had supported AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. He went to jail as a Chief Minister. Where was Congress at the time?”
He also cited allegations against several Congress leaders, declaring the party “crossed all limits of shamelessness.”

Shah’s Clarification and Damage Control

Amid rising criticism, Vijay Shah issued a clarification, stating:
“Do not see my speech in a different context. I want to tell people that my speech is not in that context. They are our sisters, and they have taken revenge with great strength along with the armed forces.”

The statement appears to be a deliberate attempt at recontextualization, acknowledging the heroism of women officers like Col Qureshi while denying any communal undertone. Party insiders indicated that Shah will avoid further public commentary and allow the controversy to die down organically.

Congress on the Offensive

The Congress party, meanwhile, has stepped up its attack, demanding Shah’s resignation and accusing the BJP of targeting minority officers for political mileage. Congress leaders stated that the BJP’s refusal to act against Shah reflects a pattern of protecting controversial figures, citing examples like Pragya Thakur, whose past remarks on Mahatma Gandhi had stirred similar criticism.

“Why is BJP afraid to act when one of their own clearly insults a serving officer?” a Congress spokesperson asked during a press briefing.

Electoral and Social Implications

Political observers view this controversy through the lens of Madhya Pradesh’s tribal and communal balance. With Shah being one of the most senior tribal faces in the state BJP, his removal could weaken the party’s outreach to key constituencies. Moreover, party insiders believe that the Congress would project any resignation as a political victory, further fueling anti-BJP narratives ahead of upcoming local elections.

Broader Impact on Civil-Military Relations

This incident has also drawn concern from military circles and civil society groups, who warn that politicization of serving officers’ identities undermines the secular ethos and neutrality of the armed forces. Social media reactions have largely condemned the statement, even as BJP supporters attempt to defend Shah’s intent.

Veteran defense analyst Major General (Retd) R. N. Sinha said, “Dragging an officer’s religious identity into political commentary, whether intentional or not, erodes the trust and unity the forces strive to uphold.

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