Quraishi Hits Back at Dubey

New Delhi: Former chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi on Monday hit back at BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s remark dubbing him a “Muslim Commissioner,” saying India defines individuals by their contributions, not their religion. Quraishi, who led the Election Commission from July 2010 to June 2012, described the barb as part of “hateful politics” and reaffirmed his faith in India’s constitutional institutions.

Speaking by phone, Quraishi told this newspaper, “I believe in an idea of India where an individual is defined by his or her talents and contributions — not by religious identity. For some, religious identities are a staple to forward their hateful politics.” He added that India “has, is and will always stand up and fight for its constitutional institutions and principles.”

Later on X (formerly Twitter), Quraishi shared a George Bernard Shaw quote: “I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.”

IAS officer and Delhi Administration Officers Academic Forum president K. Mahesh praised Quraishi’s tenure, noting he established the Commission’s voters’ education and expenditure control divisions and founded the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management. Mahesh recalled Dr. Gopalkrishna Gandhi—grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and C. Rajagopalachari — called Quraishi “one of the most remarkable CECs we have ever had.”

Former IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad wrote on X, “To call Dr S.Y. Quraishi a Muslim commissioner is shocking. An outstanding, honest and committed officer who authored the best pieces on electoral reforms.”

Historian Sanjeev Chopra added, “Quraishi is an internationally acclaimed expert on elections and author of An Undocumented Wonder — a magnum opus on India’s democratic strength.”

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav urged Dubey to “refrain from commenting on a former constitutional authority who has served the nation with distinction.” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called Quraishi “one of the best election commissioners after T.N. Seshan” and decried “language that seeks to divide our country.”

CPI General Secretary D. Raja labelled Dubey’s comment “atrocious” and demanded action from BJP leadership, asking, “What are Modi and Nadda going to say on this issue?”

Even JD(U) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, an NDA ally, said the remark was “in poor taste,” noting that the BJP has distanced itself and instructed leaders to avoid religious barbs.

Dubey’s attack followed Quraishi’s criticism of the Waqf (Amendment) Act as “a sinister evil plan of the government to grab Muslim lands.” On April 17, Dubey posted: “You were not an election commissioner, you were a Muslim commissioner,” adding baseless claims about voter rolls in Jharkhand.

Quraishi’s response and the ensuing cross-party support underscore a rare moment of consensus defending constitutional office holders against identity-based slurs.