The Supreme Court (SC) has strongly reprimanded Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his controversial remarks directed at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an officer in the Indian Army. The Court emphasized that those holding constitutional positions must exercise restraint and responsibility in their speech, particularly during sensitive times.

The controversy arose from a public address delivered by Shah on May 12, where he made comments perceived as derogatory towards Col. Qureshi. Shah's remarks alluded to Colonel Qureshi as a "sister of terrorists". These comments were made in reference to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, with Shah attempting to draw a contrast with the Indian military's response. He claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "sent their [terrorists'] sister" to retaliate against those responsible.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognizance of the matter, directing the state Director General of Police (DGP) to immediately register an FIR against Shah under sections 152, 196(1)(b) and 197(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These sections relate to acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, promoting enmity on grounds of religion, and outraging the modesty or character of a woman through speech.

Following the High Court's order, an FIR was registered against Shah in Indore. Shah then approached the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court's order and seeking a stay on the FIR.

During the Supreme Court hearing, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B. R. Gavai and Justice A. G. Masih reminded Shah that individuals in constitutional roles must exercise restraint, especially when the country is facing a situation like Operation Sindoor. The Court questioned Shah's counsel, stating, "What sort of statements are you making? You are a responsible minister of the government". The Court refused to stay the FIR and scheduled a hearing for May 16.

Shah's counsel, Vibha Makhija, argued that the minister's comments had been over-hyped and that he had apologized. Shah himself stated that if anyone was hurt by his statement, he was "ready to apologize 10 times," adding that he respects Colonel Qureshi "more than I respect my sister". He also claimed his statement was distorted by the media and that his intentions were to highlight the contributions of the army and Col. Qureshi in a respectful manner.

The Supreme Court's strong rebuke underscores the importance of responsible speech by those holding public office. The Court's remarks serve as a reminder that ministers and other high-ranking officials are expected to uphold certain standards of decorum and exercise caution in their public statements. This is particularly crucial during sensitive times, such as when the country is engaged in important operations. Every word uttered by a minister has to be with a sense of responsibility. The Court's intervention highlights the need for public officials to be mindful of the potential impact of their words and to avoid making statements that could be construed as offensive, discriminatory, or inflammatory.