Flashpoints and Farewells: Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Tenure Leaves a Mark on Parliament

Jagdeep Dhankhar's July 21, 2025, resignation as Vice President of India closed the curtain on a term that was a witness to forceful leadership, ideological combat, and procedural agitations in Parliament. His tenure as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha was far from ceremonial, as he was often in the center of political storms.

Major Highlights During His Reign

Assumed office in August 2022 as NDA winner following a landslide election against Margaret Alva

He was renowned for his firm views on judicial overreaches, especially the NJAC judgment, which he called a challenge to parliamentary supremacy

Handled suspension of more than 140 MPs in the 2023 Winter Session on the grounds of persistent disruptions and violation of decorum

Reconstituted Rajya Sabha's Vice-Chairpersons committee with 17 women members according to the Nari Shakti Vandan Vidheyak Bill

Engaged in a running battle with Opposition leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Derek O'Brien on procedural and ideological issues

Controversial Commentary and Political Confrontations

Questioned use of "socialist" and "secular" to the Preamble of the Constitution, calling them distortions

Rationalized the RSS as a constitutional body, evoking scathing attacks from Opposition benches

Reprimanded MPs for collaborating with "enemies of the nation," a veiled reference to outside criticism of the government

Survived a record 60-member Rajya Sabha no-confidence motion in December 2024, though ultimately lost

Resignation and Legacy

Quoted medical conditions in his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu

His earlier Rajya Sabha stint witnessed comments on judicial impeachment and unclaimed money discovered under a chair

Leaves behind a procedural activist legacy, ideological assertiveness, and a redefined Vice President's role

Sources: Economic Times, Indian Express, The Lucknow Tribune, Times of India, PTC News, The Hindu