- The Pahalgam attack that resulted in the brutal killings of the innocent tourists holidaying in the sylvan location of Jammu & Kashmir brought the whole country together is stating the obvious. So much so that even the people of Jammu & Kashmir were unanimous in condemning the heinous killings, overwhelmingly proving that terrorists and their evil designs of disturbing the tranquility of society are no longer acceptable. The Union Government, led by the increasingly decisive and aggressive Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was unequivocal in not only condemning the terror attack but also forceful in assuring the nation that an appropriate response would ensue. Thus, the Operation Sindoor was unleashed on the enemy’s terror outfits/hideouts/infrastructure.
PC: The Hindu
- The destruction caused by the precision, calibrated, and targeted Indian military response has been well documented, along with proof for the consumption of the domestic and global community. However, trust our political leaders to shoot from the hip by coming out with inane, insensitive, and irresponsible statements not befitting of an elected representative tasked to lead us. Looking from the prism of a communal angle is not only parochial but also reveals immaturity on the part of political leaders issuing statements on the pre- and post-Operation Sindoor. Just consider how the Madhya Pradesh minister commented on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Rather than appreciate and feel proud of the woman officer, an extremely insensitive statement ensued.
PC: LawChakra
- An FIR has been filed against the MP state minister Vijay Shah, on the direction of the MP High Court’s Jabalpur bench. The bench had strongly reacted to Shah’s derogatory and dangerous comments about army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. It observed Shah’s public comments encourage feelings of separatist activities by imputing separatist feelings to anyone who is Muslim. The court listed prima facie Shah’s offences. The FIR included BNS Sections 152 (acts of endangering India’s sovereignty, unity, integrity), considered the provision of sedition, as well as disturbing public tranquility, acts prejudicial to social harmony, and causing feelings of enmity or hatred. Penalty for any of these includes at least a three-year prison term.
PC: Medical Dialogues
- If found guilty, Vijay Shah will automatically be disqualified from the House. Yet, the FIR was obscure, as noted by the HC. It had no reference to Shah’s comments. That would allow the case to fall through. The Jabalpur bench did well to act on Shah’s comments. It must be noted that the minister’s delayed apology was made worse by his calling the colonel my sister. It is time desi politicians realise India’s women are not all their relatives – women are individuals, citizens. To hammer home the message that communally charged behaviour is a political red line, the BJP leadership must make Vijay Shah pay. It is for the party leadership to establish disincentives for this brand of politics by exemplary punishment. Will the BJP crack the whip? It should.
