With a Supreme Court-mandated deadline nearing on whether he will face prosecution, Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah on Saturday apologised again for his objectionable remarks about Colonel Sofia Qureshi, saying the words were uttered in a moment of “patriotic excitement”. The Supreme Court on January 19 directed the Madhya Pradesh government to decide within two weeks whether to grant sanction to prosecute Shah for his controversial remarks, a directive that has intensified political pressure on the minister. The comments were directed at Colonel Qureshi, who had gained national prominence for briefing the media on ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s military operation against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan last year. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had pulled up Shah for making "derogatory remarks" and using "indecent language" against Colonel Qureshi and ordered the police to register an FIR against him. Shah holds the portfolios of tribal affairs, public asset management and Bhopal gas tragedy relief and rehabilitation.

Source: The Telegraph February 07, 2026 10:44 UTC