Waqf Bill feedback | BJP MP Dubey: Foreign powers, Zakir Naik behind 1 crore responses

Raising concern over the staggering number of feedback - nearly 1.25 crore submissions - received by the parliamentary committee scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, BJP member Nishikant Dubey has called for a home ministry probe, including into the possible role of Pakistan's ISI and China.

In a letter to the committee's chairperson Jagdambika Pal, he said the investigation must also cover the possible roles of fundamentalist organisations, individuals like radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, and foreign powers such as the ISI and China besides their proxies.

Dubey, a committee member and a fourth-term Lok Sabha MP, said the geographical origins of these submissions need immediate attention, claiming that it is statistically improbable that such an overwhelming volume response could emerge organically from within India alone.

Unprecedented feedback: Dubey

He described the volume of feedback as "unprecedented" which, he said, has set a global record for legislative submissions and deserves scrutiny over the motivations and sources behind these communications.

He said it signals a disturbing trend that cannot be ignored. "I believe it is vital that the committee addresses these concerns head-on to ensure the integrity and independence of our legislative process," he added.

The committee examining the contentious bill, which has been opposed stridently by opposition parties and several Muslim groups for its alleged attempt to interfere in their religious affairs, had come out with an advertisement, seeking people's feedback on its provisions.

Rijiju declines to comment on Dubey’s suspicions

As his letter sparked a debate, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the consultation process undertaken by the committee is the most extensive in the history of the country's parliamentary democracy.

He, however, declined to comment on Dubey's suspicions.

"I can't comment on the functioning of the joint parliamentary committee. It has been empowered, how mails have come in and in what circumstances, that is for the JPC to look into," he said.

Dubey told Pal that it is essential to ask whether foreign entities, organisations, and individuals may be deliberately orchestrating this "flood of responses to manipulate the democratic process".

Dubey wants thorough investigation

Urging him to ask the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct a thorough investigation, he said the probe finding should be circulated to all members of the committee to ensure complete transparency.

“India has a robust parliamentary system, and any attempt to influence it through coordinated foreign intervention represent a direct threat to national sovereignty,” he asserted.

Citing media reports, he said the content of a large portion of these submissions is identical or contains minor variations, signalling that many of these communications may be part of an organised 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 said.

Hints at role of fundamentalist groups

Hinting at the role of Islamic fundamentalist organisations, he said these groups often funded or influenced by outside powers seek to divide India along religious lines, destabilising its democracy and disrupting our legislative processes.

He said, "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 peacher Zakir Naik cannot be underestimated,” he said.

“There are credible concerns that Naik and his network may be involved in orchestrating this deluge of submissions to the Waqf Bill, leveraging the issue to further his extremist rhetoric,” he added, noting that Naik is a fugitive wanted in India for promoting hate speech and inciting terrorism.

Dubey also mentioned foreign powers like Pakistani spy agency ISI, China, and radical organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and the Taliban.

“Given the sheer volume of submissions and their questionable content, it is entirely plausible that foreign actors are attempting to influence the legislative process,” he said.

"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 added.

Noting that Article 105 of the Constitution guarantees the free and fair functioning of Parliament, including the operations of its committees, he said any attempt by external forces to manipulate the legislative process will be an attack on the very foundations of parliamentary system.

‘Probe by MHA is critical’

He said an investigation by the MHA is critical to preserving the fairness, integrity, and independence of the Waqf Bill deliberations.

The Waqf bill deliberations, he stressed, must proceed without the interference of outside influences that aim to destabilise, delay, and disrupt the process.

The committee, whose meetings have been marked by fiery exchanges between BJP and opposition members, has been holding extensive consultations and has held frequent day-long deliberations as it rushes to meet the deadline of submitting its recommendations to Parliament in the first week of the winter session.

Congress slams Dubey

Meanwhile, the Congress has slammed Dubey for raising concerns over the staggering number of submissions received by the parliamentary committee.

Asked about the issue at a press conference at AICC headquarters, Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said, "They (the BJP) are making fun of democracy. They do not believe in democracy. If in such a big country, only 1.5 per cent of the people express their opinion and they (the BJP) are pained by it, then it is clear that they don't believe in democracy," he said.

Gohil said the "BJP's minions" were sending drafts on WhatsApp groups and asking people to click on links to send feedback to the committee.

"Probably the impact of that may have been felt by Nishikant ji. So Nishikant ji's voice should be heard by his party.”

"He should have been made a minister but was not made... he must have seen the BJP people getting such fake campaigns run, so he would have flagged it," Gohil said.

Diversion tactics by BJP: Congress

The Congress Rajya Sabha MP said the BJP leaders want to keep issues alive to hide the shortcomings of the party's rule.

"People are worried over unemployment. There is rampant corruption taking place, so they divert attention to Hindu-Muslim issues from the real issues. Though people are innocent, they can see through the game of the BJP," he said.

(With agency inputs)