– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly demanded the removal and arrest of Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Vijay Shah. The demand comes after Shah allegedly called Army officer Sofiya Qureshi the “sister of Pakistani terrorists.”
At a press meet in Delhi on Wednesday, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh slammed Shah’s remarks. He said the comment insulted the Indian Army and exposed the BJP’s divisive mindset.
“Calling a decorated officer a terrorist’s sister is shameful and anti-national,” Singh said. “This shows BJP’s real face—they insult soldiers while pretending to love the nation.”
He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence. Singh demanded that Modi apologise to the people of India.
“It is shocking the PM is silent. Vijay Shah insulted a brave daughter of India. He has disrespected the Army. The nation won’t accept this,” Singh said.
Singh said BJP leaders and supporters have a pattern of insulting Army families. He mentioned online abuse of Himanshi Narwal, widow of a martyred soldier. He also pointed to attacks on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s family over a ceasefire decision.
“BJP trolls humiliate martyrs’ families and diplomats. The PM stays silent. His silence is approval,” he added.
Singh said this is not Shah’s first offensive remark. He alleged that Shah earlier made indecent comments about the wife of a former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister. Yet, Shah still holds a cabinet post.
“This proves BJP tolerates such behaviour. The PM must answer why,” he said.
AAP has asked for Shah’s removal and legal action. Singh warned that inaction would mean approval of the insult.
“If the PM stays quiet, the insult is to every soldier. He must act and apologise,” he said.
Congress MP and General Secretary K C Venugopal also criticised the silence. He said the BJP did nothing even after the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered an FIR against Shah. On “X,” Venugopal said BJP leaders seem free to make such hateful remarks.
“From insulting Col. Qureshi to backing Godse-bhakt Pragya Thakur, BJP lets leaders say anything without punishment,” Venugopal posted. “Not firing Shah is like supporting his comments. We will keep pushing until he is sacked.”
The BJP has not yet responded officially.
