The Fact News Service
Mohali, May 15
Former Health Minister and senior Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu has strongly condemned the derogatory remarks made by BJP Minister Vijay Shah against Colonel Sophia Qureshi, calling them highly insulting and shameful. He said, “It is disgraceful to associate the religious identity of India’s daughter with Pakistan and terrorism. This blatant attempt to spread hatred clearly reflects the mindset of the BJP.”
Sidhu added, “Colonel Sophia Qureshi is the pride of the Indian Army, and to link her to terrorism based solely on her religion is not only shameful but also indicative of the deeply disturbing mindset of the BJP minister involved.”
Criticizing the ruling party’s silence, he said, “Why is the BJP, which frequently cloaks itself in nationalism, silent on such a serious matter? This silence is not only condemnable but also a dangerous signal for the unity, brotherhood, and moral fabric of our military, which we will not allow to be compromised.”
Sidhu further asserted that such derogatory remarks by BJP leaders reflect a toxic mentality within the ruling party toward the Muslim community. Speaking on Operation Sindoor, he emphasized, “This was a battle for the nation, not for any religion. The BJP minister’s comments are a deliberate attempt to disrupt Hindu-Muslim unity. No matter how hard they try, neither the Congress party nor the people of India will allow such heinous conspiracies to succeed.”
Sidhu also condemned the incident in Bihar earlier today where Shri Rahul Gandhi was allegedly prevented by the BJP-led government from visiting Ambedkar Hostel to meet Dalit students. “On the one hand, the BJP government is stopping the Leader of the Opposition from hearing the voice of the marginalized, and on the other, it is turning a blind eye to its own ministers making divisive and derogatory remarks. This double standard is disgusting and shameful,” he said.
Raising serious questions, Sidhu asked, “Why is action taken swiftly against opposition leaders who speak in the nation’s interest, but no steps are taken against BJP ministers who make inflammatory and anti-national remarks? Why hasn’t the minister who insulted a decorated Army officer been dismissed yet?”
He concluded by urging the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate and strict action against the Madhya Pradesh minister’s indecent comments targeting Sofia Qureshi of the Indian Army. “It is essential to preserve mutual brotherhood and harmony in the country. The government must act before it’s too late.”
