Why is Congress Escalating Protests Against Minister Shah?

Bhopal, May 16 (NationPress) Protests are escalating nationwide against Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah due to his contentious remarks regarding senior female Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The Congress party has been unyielding in its demands for his immediate ousting.

On Friday, a group of Congress MLAs, led by Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, met with Governor Mangubhai Patel to present a memorandum urging Minister Shah's dismissal.

Subsequently, Congress legislators organized a demonstration outside the Raj Bhavan in Bhopal, donning black attire as a mark of their protest while chanting slogans against the Minister.

"We conferred with Governor Patel and have insisted that Minister Vijay Shah be removed from the state Assembly. Congress will persist in its protests until the BJP either dismisses him or he steps down," stated LoP in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Umang Singhar, to reporters outside Raj Bhavan.

In anticipation of escalating tensions, security forces have deployed a substantial number of personnel in Shyamala Hills to safeguard the Minister's residence.

To complicate the political landscape, Congress leader and retired Wing Commander Anuma Acharya ridiculed the situation on social media.

In a post on X, she humorously suggested that the scenario had worsened to the extent that even Donald Trump might soon call for Minister Vijay Shah's resignation.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court took “suo motu” cognizance of the matter on Wednesday, instructing the Director General of Police to file an FIR against Minister Shah.

Consequently, legal actions have been initiated under sections 152, 196(1)(B), and 197(1)(C).

The controversy continues to intensify, accompanied by rising political tensions and increasing public outrage. The opposition is capitalizing on this situation to demand accountability, advocating for Minister Shah's resignation.

Meanwhile, Shah’s supporters have remained largely mute as the case garners attention in both legal and political spheres.

State Chief Minister Mohan Yadav addressed the media on Thursday, questioning why Congress does not call for the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Several Congress ministers and officials are currently facing legal trials, he mentioned.

Earlier on Thursday, Shah approached the Supreme Court seeking interim relief.

The controversy originated from Shah’s inflammatory comments during an event in Raikunda, Mhow (Ambedkarnagar), where he allegedly suggested that Prime Minister Modi had appointed a "sister" of those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack to seek retribution for India.

While Colonel Qureshi’s name was not explicitly referenced, the implication was clear, sparking outrage across political arenas. With legal proceedings underway and protests showing no signs of diminishing, all eyes are focused on how the government and judiciary will respond to this situation.