Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah, under a Supreme Court-monitored investigation for his controversial remarks about Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, issued a new video apology on Friday. In the 45-second clip posted on X, Shah described his comments as a “linguistic mistake” and insisted he had no intention of offending anyone.
“I sincerely apologise to the entire Indian Army, sister Colonel Sofiya, and all the citizens of this country,” Shah said with folded hands. “My words unintentionally hurt the sentiments of a community, a religion, and the people of the nation. It was a slip of the tongue.”
जयहिन्द,
पिछले दिनों पहलगाम में हुए जघन्य हत्याकांड से मैं मन से बहुत दुखी एवं विचलित हूँ, मेरा राष्ट्र के प्रति अपार प्रेम और भारतीय सेना के प्रति आदर एवं सम्मान हमेशा रहा है।
मेरे द्वारा कहे गये शब्दो से समुदाय, धर्म, देशवासियो को दुख पहुँचा है, यह मेरी भाषाई भूल थी, pic.twitter.com/3dU0Jt4QF6
— Dr. Kunwar Vijay Shah (@KrVijayShah) May 23, 2025
This apology notably omits the phrase “if anyone is hurt” that had featured in his earlier statement — one the Supreme Court dismissed as “crocodile tears.”
Shah’s latest message comes just ahead of the Supreme Court’s May 28 deadline for the first report from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing his remarks. The BJP leader has remained absent from public events since May 11, when his comments triggered public outrage and protests.
What Vijay Shah Said
Shah’s remarks, made during a public event referencing the Pahalgam terror attack, sparked immediate backlash. Referring to the incident, he had said, “They (terrorists) killed our Hindu brothers by stripping them. PM Modi responded by sending their sister in an Army plane to strike them in their homes.” He added, “They made our sisters widows, so Modiji sent their community’s sisters to strip them and teach them a lesson.”
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior officer in the Indian Army, had led press briefings on Operation Sindoor — a high-profile counter-terror operation targeting nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Following the comments, the Supreme Court directed the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police to constitute an SIT comprising three senior IPS officers, including one female officer of SP rank, and headed by an IG-rank officer. The team is expected to submit its preliminary report by May 28.
Although the court has stayed Shah’s arrest, it is closely monitoring the investigation. Meanwhile, criticism continues to mount against Shah from opposition leaders and civil society, with many calling for stronger action despite his apology.