The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) strongly condemns the highly irresponsible, despicable and communal remarks made by Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah against a senior army officer, Colonel Sophia Qureshi, whose family prides itself on a three-generation history of service in the army.
Shah's utterly prejudiced statement against a prominent face of Operation Sindoor, is not only shameful but also an insult to both, the army and women. It is shameful that a minister who has taken oath under the Constitution utters such misogynist statements. An army officer or soldier cannot be seen with religious spectacles as a Hindu or Muslim, but this kind of divisive language clearly reveals the core of BJP's Hindutva ideology based on religious venom against Muslims and equating all Muslims with terrorism. The statement not only reflects a dangerous mindset but is also an attempt to contaminate the whole atmosphere in favour of de-escalation and peace in the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor' carried out by the Indian Army against Pakistan.
Such disgusting act of linking Colonel Qureshi’s Muslim identity to Pakistan is rightly countered by her brother, Bunti Suleman, who has rightly stated that "She is the daughter of our country before being my sister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take cognisance of this.”
AIDWA feels that mere apology or clarification by Vijay Shah, in the midst of the backlash, is not acceptable. The ruling BJP Govt. should take the responsibility and its Minister, who has a history of making sectarian and controversial statements, should be asked to resign at the earliest for propagating such prejudiced and regressive thoughts that go against the very spirit of the Constitution.
