‘Be like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: BJP's minority wing to spread message at Shaheen Bagh chaupal today

Indian Express

10-06-2025

In an attempt to motivate Muslim women to join the Indian Army, the BJP's Minority Morcha will be organising a 'minority chaupal' in Shaheen Bagh, Tuesday. The initiative marks the first such event in the Capital as part of a nationwide campaign by the minority wing to mark the Narendra Modi government's first anniversary of its third term in office
The chaupal, according to party organisers, is aimed at encouraging Muslim women — particularly young girls — to consider careers in the Indian Army, including under the Agniveer recruitment scheme. The event will also include the distribution of copies of the Indian Constitution and information sessions on various government programs.
'Through this chaupal, Minority Morcha National President Jamal Siddiqui will inspire Muslim girls to join the Army, taking inspiration from officers like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi,' said Ashu Chaudhary, Delhi State Executive Member and programme coordinator. 'Muslim women will also be informed about their rights and achievements of the Modi government over the past 11 years.'
Colonel Qureshi was the Indian Army officer who had briefed the media during Operation Sindoor.
Siddiqui will be the chief guest at the event. A camp for one-stop registration under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana will be set up as part of the programme.
Shaheen Bagh, which gained national attention during the 2019–20 anti-CAA protests led largely by Muslim women, has been chosen for the pilot chaupal under this campaign. In preparation for the chaupal, the Minority Morcha has reached out to residents through phone calls, text messages, and posters inviting them to attend, a party source said.
Sources also said that the event is part of a broader campaign by the minority wing to reach minority communities across the country. 'State units have been tasked with forming teams at the district level to organise similar Chaupals nationwide, aimed at increasing awareness of central government initiatives and encouraging participation in civic and national programmes,' a minority morcha leader said.
The campaign also comes in the backdrop of criticism faced by the party after BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister of Tribal Welfare, Kunwar Vijay Shah, had made remarks about Colonel Qureshi. Shah, an important tribal leader in the BJP ranks and a controversial figure, had said at an event near Mhow last month that 'India had taught a lesson to those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack using their own sister (unki samaaj ki behen ke zariye)', triggering a backlash from the Congress that alleged he referred to Col Qureshi.
While the party has not officially responded to the incident, the minister later apologised and said that the comment was misunderstood and was a 'linguistic error.'
While announcing the minority chaupal on Monday, the minority morcha stated, 'In the chaupal, while discussing with the daughters, they will be told about Colonel Qureshi and they will be inspired to be like her.'