SC Slams Madhya Pradesh Minister for Insensitive Remarks Against Indian Army Officer

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sharply criticized Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah over his alleged communal and derogatory remarks against Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, sparking widespread controversy.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai termed the minister's comments as "unacceptable and insensitive", saying that individuals in constitutional positions should exercise restraint while speech. The Supreme Court questioned the conduct of Mr Shah by stating, "What sort of comments are you making? Show some sense of sensibility. Go and apologize in High Court."

An FIR was registered against the Minister after the High Court directive took suo remit. The court ruled out a stay on the High Court's order to initiate criminal proceedings against him.

"We do not see anything good going to happen to you in one day. You know who you are," the Supreme Court said, rejecting a plea for interim protection from arrest.

The controversy arose from Mr Shah's public address delivered in Indore on May 12, where he made comments that were seen as communal and derogatory towards Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer.

"These comments can be described as communal, gendered, and derogatory to the dignity of Colonel Sofiya," said an official from the Ministry of Defence.