In fresh apology, MP Minister Vijay Shah terms remarks on Col Sofiya Qureshi ‘linguistic mistake’

Bhopal: Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Tribal Welfare Minister Vijay Shah, whose controversial remarks on Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi sparked a nationwide controversy, has issued a fresh apology.

In a video message shared on his social media account (X), the minister said that his statement, which hurt the sentiments of people of the country, was a “linguistic mistake”, adding that his intention was not to hurt any individual, caste, religion or the society.

“I have great respect for the Indian Armed Forces, and never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments. It was my mistake, which hurt the sentiments of the people of the country. I once again apologise to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Indian Armed Forces and every citizen of India,” Vijay Shah said.

Apart from the video message, Vijay Shah also tendered his apology in a written note on an official letterhead of the Tribal Welfare Department, which read the same content he had mentioned in his video message.

The fresh apology from the minister’s came three days after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh Cabinet held a special meeting in the historic Rajwada Palace in Indore. Vijay Shah was not invited for the meeting.

Also, this fresh apology came just a week before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Madhya Pradesh during which he will address a large gathering of women at Bhopal’s Jamboori Maidan on May 31.

Meanwhile, a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed under the supervision of the Supreme Court has initiated inquiry on Vijay Shah’s remarks while speaking about ‘Operation Sindoor’ during a programme in Mhow on May 11. (IANS)

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