New Delhi: Every word uttered by a minister has to be with a sense of responsibility at a time the country is undergoing “such a situation”, the Supreme Court said on Thursday, May 15, as it reprimanded Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah who is facing an FIR for his remarks targeting Col Sofiya Qureshi.
“What sort of statements are you making? You are a responsible minister of the government,” Chief Justice B R Gavai told Shah’s counsel.
The bench, also comprising Justice Augustine George Masih, said the apex court would hear Shah’s plea challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s May 14 order directing an FIR against him for the comments on Friday.
“When this country is undergoing such a situation, every sentence or word uttered by a responsible minister has to be with a sense of responsibility,” the CJI told Shah’s counsel.
The bench went on, “Persons holding such a constitutional office are expected to exercise a degree of restraint.”
“He (Shah) never meant what is being made out by the media. It was a statement which was misunderstood as well. That I can justify to your lordships,” Senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, appearing for Shah said.
When she urged the apex court to stay the high court’s order, the bench said, “We will have it tomorrow.”
In the meanwhile, the senior counsel said, no further action should be taken against Shah. She said the matter was listed for hearing before the high court today.
FIR against BJP minister
The Madhya Pradesh High Court chided Shah for passing “scurrilous” remarks and using “language of the gutters” against Col Qureshi, and ordered the police to file an FIR against him on the charge of promoting enmity and hatred.
An FIR was registered against Shah in Indore district on Wednesday night following the high court’s order, an official said.
The FIR was registered under sections 152 (acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), 196 (1)(b) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, language, or other similar characteristics) and 197(1)(c) (statement or action that causes or is likely to cause disharmony, enmity, or hatred between different groups) of the BNS.
MP minister apologises for his remarks
Meanwhile, Shah again apologised for his controversial remarks against the army officer and said that he respects ‘sister Sofia’ and the army.
The minister apologised after the High Court reprimanded him and ordered to register an FIR against him. After the court order, the demand for the immediate dismissal of Shah from the cabinet intensified.
In a video shared on X, Shah said, “The sentiments of every society have been hurt by my recent statement. For that, I am not only ashamed, sad from the heart, but also apologise.”
He described Colonel Sofia as “the sister of the country” and said that she has worked above caste and society while performing her national duty.
Shah made the controversial statement during a public event in a rural area in Indore district on Monday without taking Qureshi’s name.
Colonel Qureshi had shared the details of ‘Operation Sindoor’ launched by the Indian Armed Forces in regular press conferences. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh also accompanied her during these press conferences.
After a huge controversy arose over this statement, Shah, earlier in the day, said that if anyone is hurt by his words, he is ready to apologise 10 times. He also said that he respects Colonel Qureshi more than his sister.
