Following intense resistance from several Muslim groups and the Opposition, the BJP-led Central Government’s contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into effect on Tuesday after it was passed by both Houses of the Parliament. During debates in the Parliament, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, member of the Treasury benches in the Lok Sabha, was one of the most vocal proponents of the Bill. 

In an exclusive interview, Sreenivasan Jain spoke to Dubey after the Bill was passed, addressing the “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional” criticisms surrounding it. In his reply, Dubey went back to the time of invasions by Muslim rulers like Mohammed Ghori, in an attempt to justify today’s legislation with the wrongs of the 12th century. 

The Waqf Act comes at a time when top BJP leaders have reopened Hindu claims over Muslim places of worship, raising concerns over the intent of the act. Echoing the doublespeak of RSS leaders like Dattatreya Hosabale, Dubey insists that his party is sticking to its slogan of “sabka saath, sabka vikas” while also suggesting Kashi and Mathura were wrongfully “occupied”.