Is this appropriate? Top court raps BJP minister over remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah over his remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, refusing to intervene in the FIR lodged against him for now.
A day after the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered an FIR against BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for “hate speech” against Army’s Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the minister has approached the Supreme Court for relief.
During the urgent mentioning of Shah’s plea challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s May 14 order directing the registration of an FIR, Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, heading the bench, said, “A person holding constitutional office is expected to act responsibly. What kind of statements is he making?”
The High Court had initiated suo motu action against Shah for calling Colonel Qureshi a “sister of terrorists,” describing his comments as “scurrilous” and “language of the gutters.”
Shah’s counsel told the Supreme Court that the minister had apologised, expressed remorse, and that his statement was distorted and hyped by the media. “He has expressed remorse, and his statements have been misunderstood,” the counsel submitted.
However, the CJI observed, “Every sentence uttered by a person in such a position is heard, especially when the country is going through a sensitive situation.” He added, “You know who you are nothing will happen in 24 hours.”
The Court did not pass any stay order on the FIR but agreed to hear the matter on Friday.
