Bhopal, May 23 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Tribal Welfare Minister Vijay Shah, whose controversial remarks on Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi sparked a nationwide controversy, has issued a fresh apology.
In a video message shared on his social media account (X), the minister said that his statement, which hurt the sentiments of people of the country, was a “linguistic mistake”, adding that his intention was not to hurt any individual, caste, religion or the society.
“I have great respect for the Indian Armed Forces, and never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments. It was my mistake, which hurt the sentiments of the people of the country. I once again apologise to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Indian Armed Forces and every citizen of India,” Vijay Shah said.
Apart from the video message, Vijay Shah also tendered his apology in a written note on an official letterhead of the Tribal Welfare Department, which read the same content he had mentioned in his video message.
The fresh apology from the minister’s came three days after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh Cabinet held a special meeting in the historic Rajwada Palace in Indore. Vijay Shah was not invited for the meeting.
Also, this fresh apology came just a week before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Madhya Pradesh during which he will address a large gathering of women at Bhopal’s Jamboori Maidan on May 31.
Meanwhile, a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed under the supervision of the Supreme Court has initiated inquiry on Vijay Shah’s remarks while speaking about ‘Operation Sindoor’ during a programme in Mhow on May 11.
A senior police official in Indore told the reporters on Friday that, all documents, evidences related with that incident have been handover to the SIT, which is comprising of three senior IPS officers.
The SIT would submit its report to the Supreme Court on May 28.
Earlier, on May 19, the Supreme Court ordered formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the charges against Vijay Shah, facing legal heat over his controversial remarks on Col Qureshi.
However, in slight relief to the state minister, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh stayed his arrest and asked him to join the probe.
The Justice Surya Kant-led Bench remained unimpressed with Shah’s apology and outrightly rejected it.
“He must face consequences. Let law take its own course.”
The Madhya Pradesh Minister has petitioned the Supreme Court against an order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court directing registration of an FIR against him over his distasteful remarks.
The Justice Kant-led Bench previously couldn’t take up Vijay Shah’s special leave petition (SLP) for hearing and on the petitioner’s request, directed listing the matter for hearing on May 19.
Also, previously, when Shah’s lawyer sought urgent listing of his SLP filed before the apex court, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai slammed the minister for his distasteful remarks.
“What sort of statement are you (Shah) making? Such a person holding a constitutional office is expected to exercise a degree of restraint. Every sentence uttered by a minister has to be with responsibility,” it said.
To this, senior advocate Vibha Dutta Makhija, representing Shah, said that the media overhyped the minister’s comments, and he has already issued an apology.
–IANS
pd/pgh
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by BhaskarLive.in and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of BhaskarLive.in We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, BhaskarLive.in takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
