NEW DELHI: Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi on Monday sharply responded to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey ’s controversial remark calling it an attempt to weaponise religion for divisive politics.
Quraishi, who served as CEC between 2010 and 2012, said he firmly believes in an India where individuals are recognised for their contributions and not reduced to their religious identities. “I served on the constitutional post of Election Commissioner to the best of my ability and had a long and fulfilling career in the IAS,” Quraishi told PTI. “I believe in an idea of India where an individual is defined by his or her talents and contributions and not by their religious identities.”
In a pointed remark directed at Dubey, Quraishi said, “But I guess, for some, religious identities are a staple to forward their hateful politics. India has, is and will always stand up and fight for its constitutional institutions and principles.”
Quraishi’s comments come after he criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Act on social media, calling it a “blatantly sinister evil plan of the government to grab Muslim lands.” His post read: “Wakf Act is undoubtedly a blatantly sinister evil plan of the govt to grab Muslim lands. I’m sure SC will call it out. Misinformation by the mischievous propaganda machine has done its job well.”
Dubey’s ‘muslim commissioner’ slur sparks row
In response, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey launched a personal attack on Quraishi, saying, “You were not an election commissioner, you were a Muslim commissioner. The maximum number of Bangladeshi infiltrators were made voters in Santhal Pargana in Jharkhand during your tenure.” He also invoked history to justify his claims, adding that Muslim invaders destroyed his village of Vikramshila and that there would be “no more partitions” in India.
Dubey’s remarks followed his earlier tirade against the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, prompting the BJP to distance itself from his statements.
Defending Quraishi, retired IAS officer K Mahesh said the former CEC “held these great assignments with aplomb and distinction” and was instrumental in reforming the Election Commission by founding divisions focused on voter education and election expenditure.
He added that Quraishi was praised by Gopalkrishna Gandhi—grandson of Mahatma Gandhi—as “one of the most remarkable CECs that we have ever had or are likely to have.”
Quraishi’s defence of secularism and his record as a civil servant has now become a rallying point amid growing concerns about the communalisation of public discourse.
Quraishi, who served as CEC between 2010 and 2012, said he firmly believes in an India where individuals are recognised for their contributions and not reduced to their religious identities. “I served on the constitutional post of Election Commissioner to the best of my ability and had a long and fulfilling career in the IAS,” Quraishi told PTI. “I believe in an idea of India where an individual is defined by his or her talents and contributions and not by their religious identities.”
In a pointed remark directed at Dubey, Quraishi said, “But I guess, for some, religious identities are a staple to forward their hateful politics. India has, is and will always stand up and fight for its constitutional institutions and principles.”
Quraishi’s comments come after he criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Act on social media, calling it a “blatantly sinister evil plan of the government to grab Muslim lands.” His post read: “Wakf Act is undoubtedly a blatantly sinister evil plan of the govt to grab Muslim lands. I’m sure SC will call it out. Misinformation by the mischievous propaganda machine has done its job well.”
Wakf Act is undoubtedly a blatantly sinister / evil plan of the govt to grab Muslim lands. I’m sure SC will call it out. Misinformation by the mischievous propaganda machine has done its job well.
— Dr. S.Y. Quraishi (@DrSYQuraishi) April 17, 2025
Dubey’s ‘muslim commissioner’ slur sparks row
In response, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey launched a personal attack on Quraishi, saying, “You were not an election commissioner, you were a Muslim commissioner. The maximum number of Bangladeshi infiltrators were made voters in Santhal Pargana in Jharkhand during your tenure.” He also invoked history to justify his claims, adding that Muslim invaders destroyed his village of Vikramshila and that there would be “no more partitions” in India.
Dubey’s remarks followed his earlier tirade against the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, prompting the BJP to distance itself from his statements.
Defending Quraishi, retired IAS officer K Mahesh said the former CEC “held these great assignments with aplomb and distinction” and was instrumental in reforming the Election Commission by founding divisions focused on voter education and election expenditure.
He added that Quraishi was praised by Gopalkrishna Gandhi—grandson of Mahatma Gandhi—as “one of the most remarkable CECs that we have ever had or are likely to have.”
Quraishi’s defence of secularism and his record as a civil servant has now become a rallying point amid growing concerns about the communalisation of public discourse.
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