21 April 2025 : Former chief election commissioner SY Quraishi on Monday responded to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s “Muslim commissioner” barb at him, saying that he believes in an idea of India where an individual is defined by his contributions, PTI reported.
Quraishi asserted that “for some, religious identities are a staple to forward their hateful politics”. The former CEC said that India has, is and will always stand up and fight for its constitutional institutions and principles.
“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 and not by their religious identities,” Quraishi told PTI.
“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 added.
What Nishikant Dubey said
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, on Sunday, had criticised Quraishi, calling him a “Muslim commissioner” rather than an election commissioner.
The BJP MPs statement came a day after he had sparked controversy with his remarks targeting the Chief Justice of India and the Supreme Court, along with his criticism of the Waqf (Amendment) Act—a legislation that Quraishi had previously condemned as a “sinister and evil plan by the government to seize Muslim lands.”
Summary: Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi condemned BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s “Muslim commissioner” comment, emphasizing India’s commitment to constitutional values over divisive politics.