On January 19, the Supreme Court directed the state government to decide within two weeks on granting sanction to prosecute Shah for his controversial remarks against Colonel Quereshi.
File Photo: IANS
The opposition Congress strongly condemned the Mohan Yadav-led BJP government of Madhya Pradesh for allowing tainted minister Vijay Shah to unfurl the Tricolour and take salute of the Republic Day parade on Monday.
Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah is facing a trial in the Supreme Court on an FIR registered against him by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for his derogatory remarks against Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Quereshi in connection with Operation Sindoor.
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On January 19, the Supreme Court directed the state government to decide within two weeks on granting sanction to prosecute Shah for his controversial remarks against Colonel Quereshi.
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Last year, the Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognisance of Shah’s statement against Colonel Quereshi and ordered the registration of an FIR against the cabinet minister at the Manpur police station in the Indore district.
The FIR was registered under sections 152 (assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharge of public functions), 196 (1) (b) (act prejudicial to maintenance of harmony between different communities, which causes or is likely to cause breach of public peace), and 197 (1) (c) (uttering anything prejudicial to maintenance of harmony between different communities, or which causes or is likely to cause enmity, hatred or ill-will between different communities) of the Indian Penal Code.
On Monday, Shah hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the ceremonial parade during the main Republic Day ceremony held at the stadium ground in Khandwa, his home district.
Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari charged that Shah should have been immediately removed from his ministerial post following the Supreme Court’s week-old directive
“Instead, the BJP made Shah hoist the flag on Republic Day. This is challenging the Constitution,” Patwari averred.
State Assembly Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar also objected to Shah hoisting the tricolour and accused the BJP of acting in a “shameless” manner.
“The BJP has become a shameless party. Whatever action has been shown against Vijay Shah is merely a formality,” Singhar told reporters in Bhopal.
Last year, Shah came under criticism after a video circulated on social media showing him making derogatory remarks against Colonel Quereshi. Shah made the offensive remarks about Colonel Quereshi while addressing a public event on Halma (a tribal tradition of collective labour and community participation) on May 12, 2025, in Raikunda village, Indore district.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court reprimanded Shah for making “derogatory remarks” and using “indecent language” against Colonel Quereshi and ordered the police to file an FIR against him. Following severe criticism, the Cabinet Minister expressed regret and said that he respected Colonel Quereshi even more than his own sister.
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