BJP MP Dubey demands MHA investigation amidst alarming backlash over Waqf Bill
- In Reports
- 04:23 PM, Sep 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
BJP member Nishikant Dubey has expressed concerns about the 1.25 crore feedback submissions received by the parliamentary committee examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. He has called for an investigation into the origins of these submissions, suggesting that there may be involvement from the ISI and China. In a letter to Jagdambika Pal, the chairperson of the committee, he stated that this investigation needs to address the potential roles of foreign powers such as China and the ISI, as well as individuals like Zakir Naik.
Fourth-term Lok Sabha MP Dubey, a committee member, stated that the submissions' geographical origins require immediate attention. According to Dubey, it is statistically unlikely that such a large response could develop naturally from within India alone. He called the volume of feedback "unprecedented," adding that it has shattered the record for legislative submissions worldwide and raised questions about the sources and intentions of these communications.
According to him, it indicates a troubling trend that cannot be disregarded. “I believe it is vital that the committee addresses these concerns head-on to ensure the integrity and independence of our legislative process,” he said.
The committee looking into the controversial bill released an advertisement asking for public comments on its provisions. The bill has been fiercely opposed by opposition parties and several Muslim organisations for what they see as an attempt to meddle in matters of religion. Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Minority Affairs, recently stated that nobody ever imagined the panel would receive recommendations in crores. Even if 1,000 recommendations or representations were made, it used to be considered a big number, he had said.
In his letter to Pal, Dubey stated that it is critical to inquire as to whether foreign organisations, individuals, or entities may be planning this "flood of responses to manipulate the democratic process" on purpose. India has a robust parliamentary system, and any attempt to influence it through coordinated foreign intervention poses a direct threat to national sovereignty, he asserted. He cited media reports to support his claim that a significant percentage of these submissions have the same content or only slight variations, suggesting that a large number of these communications may be a part of a coordinated campaign.
“It is not uncommon for special interest groups, both foreign and domestic, to use this tactic to saturate the legislative process with pre-drafted suggestions or demands, giving the illusion of mass public support. This orchestrated effort undermines the very purpose of soliciting genuine public feedback,” he stated. He made a hint about the involvement of Islamic fundamentalist organisations when he said that these organisations, which are frequently supported or influenced by foreign powers, aim to split India along religious lines to undermine its democracy and interfere with our legal system.
He stated, “There is reason to suspect that these elements are leveraging the Waqf Bill deliberations to sow discord and polarise public opinion. These efforts are not isolated but part of a broader strategy by fundamentalist groups to manipulate sensitive issues in our country.” The influence of a radical Islamist preacher Zakir Naik cannot be underestimated, he mentioned.
He added that there are legitimate worries that Naik and his network are behind this wave of Waqf Bill submissions and are using the matter to promote his extreme rhetoric. Naik is wanted in India for inciting terrorism and promoting hate speech. In addition, Dubey mentioned other foreign powers that have long had an interest in destabilising India and undermining its democracy, such as China, the Taliban, and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. Foreign actors may be trying to influence the legislative process from the outside, he said, given the overwhelming number of submissions and their dubious content.
“If foreign intelligence agencies are behind this flood of submissions, it would constitute an unprecedented attack on Indian sovereignty and a deliberate attempt to compromise the independence of Parliament,” he said. He stated that any attempt by outside forces to influence the legislative process would be an attack on the fundamentals of the parliamentary system, pointing out that Article 105 of the Constitution guarantees the free and fair functioning of Parliament, including the operations of its committees.
He urged Pal to permit the Ministry of Home Affairs to carry out an exhaustive investigation, adding that in order to guarantee total transparency, the probe's findings ought to be shared with every committee member. He added, “This investigation is critical to preserving the fairness, integrity, and independence of the Waqf Bill deliberations.”
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