BJP MP Nishikant Dubey in War of Words with Former CEC SY Quraishi Over Waqf Act Remarks

New Delhi, April 20 — A day after sparking controversy over his comments on the Supreme Court, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey found himself at the centre of another storm—this time engaging in a sharp exchange with former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi over the contentious Waqf Amendment Act.

Responding to a critical social media post by Quraishi, who alleged that the Centre was attempting to seize Muslim-owned properties through amendments to the Waqf Act, Dubey issued a strongly worded rebuttal. In his response, the Godda MP accused the former CEC of communal bias, claiming, “You were not an Election Commissioner, you were a Muslim Commissioner.”

आप चुनाव आयुक्त नहीं,मुस्लिम आयुक्त थे,झारखंड के संथालपरगना में बांग्लादेशी घुसपैठिया को वोटर सबसे ज़्यादा आपके कार्यकाल में ही बनाया गया ।पैगंबर मुहम्मद साहब का इस्लाम भारत में 712 में आया,उसके पहले तो यह ज़मीन हिंदुओं की या उस आस्था से जुड़ी आदिवासी,जैन या बौद्ध धर्मावलंबी की… https://t.co/yf8uBjmoYN

— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) April 20, 2025

Dubey further alleged that during Quraishi’s tenure, the highest number of Bangladeshi infiltrators were issued voter ID cards in the Santhal Pargana region of Jharkhand—part of his parliamentary constituency. SY Quraishi served as India’s 17th Chief Election Commissioner from July 30, 2010, to June 10, 2012, during the UPA-II administration.

The exchange was triggered by Quraishi’s post on X (formerly Twitter), in which he accused the government of pursuing a “sinister” agenda through the amended Waqf Act. “Waqf 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,” he wrote.

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

In retaliation, Dubey not only challenged Quraishi’s credentials but delved into a historical narrative, asserting the Hindu and tribal identity of India before the advent of Islam. Referring to the destruction of Vikramshila University by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1189, he invoked cultural unity, stating, “Unite this country, read its history — it was division that created Pakistan. There will be no more division.”

Controversy Over Supreme Court Remarks

This confrontation follows Dubey’s earlier remarks suggesting that the Supreme Court was overstepping its constitutional boundaries. On Saturday, the MP stated that if the judiciary were to assume the role of lawmaking, Parliament should be shut down. “If the Supreme Court is going to make laws, then we might as well close down Parliament,” he said.

The comment drew sharp criticism from the Opposition and prompted the BJP to publicly distance itself from his statement. Party president JP Nadda clarified that Dubey’s views were personal and did not reflect the position of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“The statements made by BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Dinesh Sharma regarding the judiciary and the Chief Justice of India have no connection with the Bharatiya Janata Party. These are their personal remarks, and the BJP neither agrees with nor supports such statements. The party outrightly rejects them,” Nadda posted on X.

As tensions continue to rise over the Waqf Amendment Act and institutional boundaries, the political discourse shows no signs of calming—setting the stage for further ideological confrontations in the lead-up to upcoming legislative developments.