Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning its silence over controversial remarks made by minister Vijay Shah regarding Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a decorated officer of the Indian Army.
Addressing the media in Indore, Singh thanked the Madhya Pradesh High Court for taking suo motu cognizance of Shah’s remarks and for ordering the registration of an FIR against him. Singh claimed that BJP leaders had objected to Colonel Sofiya’s appointment as a spokesperson.
“Why did BJP leaders have a problem with Colonel Sofiya being made a spokesperson? Is it because she is a woman? A Muslim? Or a soldier who chose to serve the nation and now serve democracy?” Singh questioned. He further challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president JP Nadda to clarify their stand, accusing them of tacit approval through silence.
Singh also aimed at the BJP’s ideological roots, stating, “The BJP and RSS thrive on divisiveness.” Referring to the online trolling of Col Sofiya and Vikram Misri, India's official spokesperson and former envoy to China, Singh alleged that even their families were not spared. “Shockingly, many of these trolls are followed by Modi himself,” he added.
Touching upon national security, Singh questioned the central government’s decision to agree to a ceasefire with Pakistan amid ongoing border violations. He also raised concerns about the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, pointing to a lack of clarity about the identities of the attackers.
“In matters of national security, the Modi government avoids consultation with the opposition,” Singh alleged. “This is in stark contrast to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who always consulted opposition leaders during national crises.”
Singh concluded by saying that the present government must learn to value transparency, institutional integrity, and democratic dialogue - principles, he said, that are currently under threat.
