BJP leader who made derogatory remarks against Col Sofiya Qureshi hoists R-Day flag

BJP minister Vijay Shah, who is facing legal scrutiny over derogatory remarks against Indian Army officer Sofiya Qureshi, hoisted the national flag and took the parade salute at the Republic Day event in Khandwa on Sunday.

Vijay Shah was made the chief guest at the district-level celebrations despite a recent directive from the Supreme Court of India, which has asked the Madhya Pradesh government to take a decision within two weeks on granting sanction to prosecute him in the Colonel Qureshi matter.

The Supreme Court’s order came after the Madhya Pradesh High Court reprimanded Shah for making “derogatory remarks” and using “indecent language,” and directed the police to register an FIR against him.

Even after the court’s intervention, the state government went ahead and appointed Shah as the chief guest for the Republic Day event. During the ceremony, he hoisted the Tricolour and received the ceremonial salute at the parade.

The development drew sharp criticism from the Congress, which accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of disregarding constitutional values. Congress leaders Jitu Patwari said Shah should have been removed from his ministerial post following the Supreme Court’s directive and objected to his presence at an official Republic Day function.

"Shah should have been immediately removed from his ministerial post following the Supreme Court's directive, but the BJP made Shah hoist the flag on Republic Day. This is challenging the Constitution. The failure to get Shah to resign raises questions about the working style of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav," Patwari was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

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