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Chhattisgarh Congress President Deepak Baij on Friday demanded THAT the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issue an apology over remarks made by its leader Kunwar Vijay Shah, who is also a minister in the Madhya Pradesh government, asking the ruling party to remove him from his post.
He said that the BJP has "fooled people and lied" in the name of nationalism, adding that there was nothing more unfortunate than a sitting minister labelling Colonel Sofiya Qureshi "sister of terrorists". "The BJP has done nothing but fool people and lie in the name of nationalism. If someone sitting on a constitutional post as a minister calls (Colonel) Sofiya Qureshi 'sister of terrorists', there is nothing more unfortunate than that," Baij told reporters here. He stated that the BJP must prove its nationalism by taking action against Vijay Shah and issuing an apology. "I thank the High Court for giving the order to file an FIR. However, shamelessness has reached its peak. The BJP should have taken action against such people and prove its nationalism. Why is it protecting such a person? Is this BJP's nationalism? Is this BJP's character - abusing the Supreme Court and the daughters of the country? The BJP should apologise and remove such a person from his post," Baij added. On Thursday, the Supreme Court criticised Shah for his remarks, saying that the minister must speak with "responsibility." A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustus George Masih said a person holding a constitutional office should be responsible when this country is going through such a situation, and must know what he is saying. At the outset, CJI asked, "What kind of statement are you making? Such a person holding a constitutional office should be responsible..." "When this country is going through such a situation... He has to know what he is saying. Just because you are a minister," said Justice Gavai. The MP High Court had said that if the FIR is not registered by Wednesday evening, the court may contemplate proceeding against the Director General of Police of the State for contempt of the order. The controversy arose after a video clip of Shah's speech went viral on social media. In his clarification, Shah said his comments were taken out of context and were meant to praise Colonel Qureshi's bravery. (ANI)
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