<p>Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation as Vice-President has raised questions which, so far, have not found answers. The speculation generated in the wake of the resignation does no good to the country’s second highest constitutional office. </p>.<p>Reasons for Dhankhar’s unexpected action, the relationship between the ruling establishment and the office of the Vice-President who is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha, and the autonomy of that position in our parliamentary system are being discussed. Dhankhar said he needed to “prioritise healthcare and abide by medical advice”. But the timing of the decision to step down, on the first day of the Monsoon Session, points to a larger story. </p>.<p>Dhankhar had two years left in office and he had recently said that he would retire “at the right time”, in August 2027. It needs to be noted that at the time of his announcement, his schedule of programmes in the House and public engagements for some days had already been finalised.</p>.<p>In the absence of a credible explanation, multiple theories are doing the rounds. One proposes that the government was not happy with Dhankhar’s handling of the impeachment moves against Justice Yashwant Varma and Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, both of the Allahabad High Court. There is also a view that the government was not pleased with some of his public statements. There is no explanation, either from the government or the ruling party, except for a brief note from Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishing Dhankhar good health.</p>.<p>Dhankhar has had a controversial record as the Governor of West Bengal and as the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha. In both positions, he acted with gross partisanship in favour of the ruling party and brought down the standards expected of the offices he held. He is the only presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha against whom the Opposition has brought a no-confidence motion. </p>.<p>His repeated attacks on the judiciary, criticism of major judgements, and questioning of ideas such as the basic structure of the Constitution were glaringly inappropriate from a person who held a high constitutional office. In some of his statements, Dhankhar struck a more hawkish note than some hardliners on the ruling party’s side. There are reports that the estrangement between him and the government may have started some months ago. It is unfortunate that the matter remains shrouded in mystery. </p>.<p>The nation has the right to know the reasons and circumstances behind the resignation of a top constitutional authority, whether they are personal, political, or related to his functioning in his office.</p>
<p>Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation as Vice-President has raised questions which, so far, have not found answers. The speculation generated in the wake of the resignation does no good to the country’s second highest constitutional office. </p>.<p>Reasons for Dhankhar’s unexpected action, the relationship between the ruling establishment and the office of the Vice-President who is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha, and the autonomy of that position in our parliamentary system are being discussed. Dhankhar said he needed to “prioritise healthcare and abide by medical advice”. But the timing of the decision to step down, on the first day of the Monsoon Session, points to a larger story. </p>.<p>Dhankhar had two years left in office and he had recently said that he would retire “at the right time”, in August 2027. It needs to be noted that at the time of his announcement, his schedule of programmes in the House and public engagements for some days had already been finalised.</p>.<p>In the absence of a credible explanation, multiple theories are doing the rounds. One proposes that the government was not happy with Dhankhar’s handling of the impeachment moves against Justice Yashwant Varma and Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, both of the Allahabad High Court. There is also a view that the government was not pleased with some of his public statements. There is no explanation, either from the government or the ruling party, except for a brief note from Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishing Dhankhar good health.</p>.<p>Dhankhar has had a controversial record as the Governor of West Bengal and as the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha. In both positions, he acted with gross partisanship in favour of the ruling party and brought down the standards expected of the offices he held. He is the only presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha against whom the Opposition has brought a no-confidence motion. </p>.<p>His repeated attacks on the judiciary, criticism of major judgements, and questioning of ideas such as the basic structure of the Constitution were glaringly inappropriate from a person who held a high constitutional office. In some of his statements, Dhankhar struck a more hawkish note than some hardliners on the ruling party’s side. There are reports that the estrangement between him and the government may have started some months ago. It is unfortunate that the matter remains shrouded in mystery. </p>.<p>The nation has the right to know the reasons and circumstances behind the resignation of a top constitutional authority, whether they are personal, political, or related to his functioning in his office.</p>
