MP High Court Orders FIR Against BJP Minister Vijay Shah Over 'Gutter Language' Remarks Targeting Col Sofiya Qureshi

BJP Minister Vijay Shah Faces FIR After MP High Court's Stern Action Over Derogatory Remarks Against Congress Leader

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken a strong stand against hate speech and misogyny in politics, directing police to file an FIR against BJP minister Vijay Shah for using highly offensive language against Congress leader Sofiya Qureshi. The court's stern intervention came after Shah's vile remarks comparing the former municipal corporator to "gutter water" during a political debate in Dhar district went viral, sparking widespread condemnation.  

Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Vishal Mishra, hearing the matter suo motu, minced no words in their criticism, calling Shah's conduct "disgraceful and completely unbecoming of a public representative." The bench ordered Dhar Police to register a case under sections 354A (sexual harassment), 509 (insulting modesty of woman) and relevant IT Act provisions, demanding a progress report within 15 days.  

An emotional Sofiya Qureshi, a prominent Dalit Muslim leader, broke down while addressing reporters, stating, "This abuse isn't just directed at me but at every woman who faces such humiliation daily. When a sitting minister uses such language, it exposes the rot in our political culture." She has demanded Shah's immediate resignation and a public apology.  

The BJP, facing mounting pressure, issued a tepid response distancing itself from Shah's remarks while stopping short of any disciplinary action. "The party doesn't endorse such language. The matter is under internal review," read their carefully worded statement.  

Women's rights activists and opposition leaders have hailed the court's decisive action, with many calling it a watershed moment in checking sexism in political discourse. The National Commission for Women has also stepped in, seeking an explanation from the embattled minister. As legal proceedings begin, the case has ignited fresh debates about accountability and the normalization of misogynistic rhetoric in Indian politics.