Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal
Bhopal, Aug 26: The Congress on Wednesday urged President Droupadi Murmu to dismiss the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, alleging that the state government was shielding Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah by refusing to sanction his prosecution over objectionable remarks about Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari, in a letter to the President, alleged that the government was providing political patronage to the minister and obstructing the judicial process to protect a political figure from accountability.
Patwari claimed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted on the directions of the Supreme Court had sought sanction to prosecute Shah, but the Madhya Pradesh government had declined to consider the request.
In a post on X, Patwari alleged that "Vijay Shah and now the Mohan government" had committed an "unpardonable crime" by undermining the morale of the country and the Army, and demanded the immediate dismissal of the BJP government.
He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the issue, asserting that the honour of the Army belonged to the nation and not to any political party.
The Congress said Shah's remarks concerning Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, whom it described as a brave daughter of the nation, amounted not only to an insult to an individual but also to the armed forces.
The party alleged that the state government's reported decision not to grant prosecution sanction amounted to political protection and raised questions over interference with the judicial process.
The Congress further accused the BJP-led "double-engine government" of challenging democratic, constitutional and judicial norms to protect a minister, arguing that shielding Shah after his remarks against the Army amounted to institutional protection.
Responding to the allegations, Madhya Pradesh BJP president Hemant Khandelwal defended the government's decision-making process.
"The government takes decisions only after considering all sides and verifying all the facts. The decisions being taken by the government are well thought out," Khandelwal told IANS.
The Madhya Pradesh government reportedly did not take up the issue of granting prosecution sanction at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, although some media reports said the government had decided against granting permission. The state government has not yet issued an official communication on the matter.
Shah has publicly apologised three times over the controversy, which stems from comments he made about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi at an event in Mhow in May 2025.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognisance of the remarks and ordered registration of an FIR. Following directions from the Supreme Court, an SIT was subsequently constituted. After completing its investigation, the SIT sought permission to prosecute the minister.
The Supreme Court had directed the state government to take a decision by January 19, 2026, and later expressed strong displeasure over the delay, directing it to decide the matter within four weeks.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled before the Supreme Court on August 31.