Is Vijay Shah the Right Choice as ‘Guest of Honour’ for Birsa Munda's Legacy Event?

Bhopal, June 8 (NationPress) Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah has received an invitation to serve as the “Guest of Honour” at the important event “Kol Janjatya Sammelan”, set to take place on Monday (9 June 2025) in Shahdol, a district largely inhabited by tribal communities.

Shah will share the stage in Beohari (tehsil) with Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav at this occasion dedicated to honoring the enduring legacy of the iconic tribal leader Birsa Munda.

Additionally, Shah, who is also responsible for Public Asset Management and Bhopal Gas Relief, has recently found himself at the center of a controversy following comments he made regarding Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

In a public gathering in Raikunda village, now known as Ambedkar Nagar, in May, Shah allegedly made divisive and derogatory comments about Colonel Qureshi, prompting widespread condemnation.

As a result of his remarks, the Madhya Pradesh High Court initiated suo motu cognizance, mandating the filing of a case against him.

Shah attempted to contest the ruling in the Supreme Court, but his request for immediate relief was rejected. The apex court later ordered the establishment of a special investigation team to look into the issue.

Throughout this turmoil, Shah notably missed three consecutive cabinet meetings. However, he made a return in early June to his constituency of Harsood, Khandwa, where he visited the family of a gang-rape victim.

This visit, widely shared on social media, attracted intense criticism, with detractors accusing him of breaching the victim's right to anonymity.

The state Congress party condemned his actions, arguing that publicly disclosing the identity of the victim's family was both unethical and legally questionable.

Despite the ongoing legal and political challenges surrounding Shah, the “Kol Janjatya Sammelan” in Shahdol is anticipated to proceed as scheduled. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will lead the event, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development initiatives valued at Rs 250 crore.

Moreover, he will oversee the distribution of funds to beneficiaries across various government programs, including the State Rural Livelihood Mission, Farmer Welfare and Agricultural Development, Women and Child Development, School Education, Horticulture, and Health Department.

This event is expected to garner considerable attention, both for its cultural importance and the involvement of major political figures amid ongoing controversies.