'Should Be Judged By Work, Not Religion': Ex-CEC Quraishi On Nishikant Dubey's 'Muslim Commissioner' Remark

Dubey's remark came on Sunday, just hours after the BJP distanced itself from his controversial statement accusing CJI Sanjiv Khanna of triggering “grih yuddhas” (civil wars) in the country.

File photo of Former CEC SY Quraishi.

Source : PTI

Responding to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s comment referring to him as a “Muslim Commissioner,” former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) SY Quraishi on Monday emphasised that individuals should be recognised for their work, not their religious identities.

Dubey's remark came on Sunday, just hours after the BJP distanced itself from his controversial statement accusing Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna of triggering “grih yuddhas” (civil wars) in the country. In his fresh attack, Dubey criticised Quraishi over his views on the Waqf Act, using the term “Muslim Commissioner” to describe him.

The religiously charged comment came a day after Dubey’s scathing remarks against the Supreme Court and the CJI, which prompted the BJP to publicly disassociate from his stance.

In a conversation with The Indian Express, Quraishi said, “Our Constitution guarantees freedom of expression… anybody can say what they want.” When he was questioned about his stance by his statement, he said, “Of course, I do.” Quraishi held the post of Chief Election Commissioner from July 2010 to June 2012.

On April 17, in a post on X, Quraishi said, “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

Speaking to news agency PTI on Monday, Quraishi said, “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. I believe in an idea of India where an individual is defined by his or her talents and contributions, not by their religious identities.”

“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,” he further added.

You Were Muslim Commissioner: Nishikant Dubey To Ex-CEC Quraishi 

On Sunday, Nishikant Dubey alleged former CEC was a Muslim commissioner, not an election commissioner. “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, "Dubey accused.

He further stated that Prophet Muhammad’s Islam arrived in India in 712 AD and that the lands under Waqf before that belonged to Hindus, tribals, Jains, or Buddhists associated with those faiths.

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

Referring to his native village, the four-term MP from Godda in Jharkhand said, “My village Vikramshila was burnt down by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1189, and the Vikramshila University gave the world its first vice chancellor in Atish Dipankar.” Urging people to read history, he added, “Unite this country, read history. Pakistan was created by dividing it. There will be no partition now.”

Dubey’s remarks came a day after his sharp criticism of the Supreme Court prompted his party to distance itself from the comments. On Saturday, Dubey had launched a scathing attack on the judiciary, questioning the apex court’s role in lawmaking. Citing Article 368 of the Constitution, he said lawmaking was the prerogative of Parliament, while the role of the Supreme Court was to interpret the laws.

“If the Supreme Court is going to make laws, then the Parliament building should be shut down,” Dubey posted on X in Hindi.

In remarks to news agency PTI, Dubey accused the court of encroaching upon legislative powers by striking down laws passed by Parliament and even giving directions to the President, who, he noted, is the appointing authority for Supreme Court judges.

His comments came after the Centre assured the apex court that it would not implement certain contentious provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act until the next hearing. The Supreme Court is currently hearing multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Act, passed by Parliament in the first week of April.