Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: PTI

In a sudden and surprising move, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday. President Droupadi Murmu has accepted his resignation, and the approval has been sent to the Home Ministry. A formal notification about this will be released soon.

Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is 74 years old, made this announcement right after he chaired the first day of the Parliament Monsoon Session as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha. In his resignation letter to President Murmu, he mentioned that he was resigning because of health reasons and that he wanted to focus on his medical treatment and follow his doctors’ advice.

However, this sudden resignation has raised many questions among Opposition leaders. They feel that there could be some other reason behind this decision. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said he had spoken to Dhankhar on the phone just two hours before the news of resignation came out, and at that time, Dhankhar did not seem to have any health issues or worries.

On Monday, another issue also came up in Parliament. Vice President Dhankhar was upset because Union Ministers JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju did not attend an important Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting at 4.30 pm. Both ministers were present at the first BAC meeting at 12.30 pm but missed the second one. JP Nadda later explained that both he and Rijiju were busy with some important parliamentary work and had already informed Dhankhar about their absence.

After Dhankhar’s resignation, many Opposition leaders held urgent meetings to discuss the situation. Before Parliament started today, leaders of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met to plan the next steps. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi were also part of this meeting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Dhankhar for his service to the nation. He said Dhankhar has had many chances to serve the country in different roles and has always worked with dedication.

Due to his resignation, Dhankhar did not chair the Rajya Sabha today. According to Article 67 of the Constitution, which talks about the Vice President’s term, the Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will now take care of the daily work until a new Vice President is elected.
Jagdeep Dhankhar became the Vice President of India in August 2022. His term was supposed to end in 2027. With his resignation, he has become the third Vice President in India’s history to resign before completing his full term. Earlier, VV Giri and R Venkataraman had also resigned before their term ended, but they had resigned to contest the presidential elections.

Background of Jagdeep Dhankhar

Jagdeep Dhankhar was born in Rajasthan and is a senior lawyer by profession. Before becoming Vice President, he served as the Governor of West Bengal. He has also been a Member of Parliament and has worked in different legal and political roles. As Vice President, he was respected for his polite behaviour and balanced way of running the Rajya Sabha.

What Happens Next?

With Dhankhar’s resignation, the post of Vice President has become vacant. Elections will be held soon to choose a new Vice President. Till then, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will manage the work in Rajya Sabha and perform all duties as required.

Why Did He Resign Suddenly?

Although Dhankhar has said he resigned because of health reasons, some people feel there could be other reasons too. Opposition leaders are asking why he took this decision so suddenly, when just a few hours before, he looked normal and was working actively in Parliament.

Reactions from Political Parties

Many political leaders are shocked by this news. While the ruling party leaders have respected his decision and wished him good health, Opposition parties like Congress are questioning the real reason behind his resignation.

Some leaders believe that there might be political reasons behind this resignation, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Impact on Parliament

The resignation has come during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which is an important time for passing bills and discussing national issues. Now, with the Vice President post vacant, some procedures in the Rajya Sabha might be affected until a new Vice President is elected.

A Rare Event in India’s History

It is very rare for a Vice President to resign before completing the term. VV Giri resigned in 1969 to contest the presidential election and later became the President. R Venkataraman also resigned as Vice President in 1987 to become the President.
Dhankhar’s resignation is different because he has not announced any plans to contest for President. He has said that his health is the only reason for stepping down.

People Wish Him Good Health

After the news came out, many people, including politicians, lawyers, and citizens, wished him good health and a speedy recovery. Social media is filled with messages thanking him for his service as Vice President.

In Indian politics, such sudden resignations always bring curiosity and debates. While Jagdeep Dhankhar’s decision seems personal due to health reasons, political experts believe there could be many angles to it. For now, India waits to see who will be elected as the next Vice President to guide the Rajya Sabha and support the country’s leadership in the coming years.