Jagdeep Dhankhar, former Vice-President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, resigned suddenly on health grounds, bringing an abrupt end to a tenure marked by assertiveness and institutional friction. His career reflects a combination of legal expertise, political assertiveness and a strong inclination to speak his mind, the traits that earned him both recognition and scrutiny.
Before his political elevation, Dhankhar had a substantial legal career. His involvement in high-profile cases such as Salman Khan’s bail in the black buck case, the Jat reservation issue in Rajasthan, the SYL water dispute, Shahrukh Khan’s defamation case over Ram Jaane, and Lalit Modi’s legal matters, established him as a prominent lawyer. This background perhaps contributed to his confidence in engaging with complex legal and constitutional questions during his tenure in public office.
How Dhankhar challenged judiciary
As Vice-President and ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar often engaged actively and sometimes contentiously in national issues. Known for being outspoken, he was not hesitant to express strong views on sensitive subjects, particularly the functioning of the judiciary. His speeches and remarks consistently emphasized his independent stance and his perception of institutional overreach by the judiciary.
Dhankhar questioned the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, which was aimed at replacing the existing collegium system for judicial appointments. He also expressed concern about the judiciary setting timelines for the President, arguing that such actions risked elevating the court to a position above the legislature and executive. His remarks, comparing judicial activism to the use of a "nuclear missile" against democratic structures, highlighted the depth of his concerns.
Dhankhar was also critical of the judiciary's handling of a corruption-related case involving Justice Yashwant Varma, especially the absence of an FIR despite the discovery of cash and the subsequent in-house inquiry by the then Chief Justice, which he called unconstitutional. From the outset, his approach seemed to signal a more combative relationship with the higher judiciary.
Dhankhar was his own man
While his resignation was officially attributed to health reasons, reports suggest it may have been influenced by tensions related to parliamentary procedure and political strategy. Specifically, Dhankhar’s decision to allow an opposition-sponsored motion in the Rajya Sabha for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma — before a similar motion from the government could be tabled in the Lok Sabha — appears to have created unease within the ruling establishment. That the Rajya Sabha motion had support from 63 Opposition MPs, and not government members, may have given the impression that the initiative was driven by the Opposition. This move, seen as jumping the gun, reportedly became a flashpoint and possibly the final trigger for his resignation.
Beyond his stance on the judiciary, Dhankhar reportedly had some friction with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla. In contrast to the amicable relationship shared by their predecessors, M. Venkaiah Naidu and Om Birla — both BJP colleagues — Dhankhar often emphasised his higher protocol status. Their differences, further complicated by their shared Rajasthan origin, reportedly played out in both Delhi and their home state.
Publicly identifying as a "farmer's son", Dhankhar often addressed agrarian issues, sometimes directly contradicting the government line. At a major event of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in the presence of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, he questioned why farmers were still protesting and raised concerns about unmet promises. Caste identity also played a role in shaping his public persona. At a Jat community event where he was present, a resolution was reportedly passed seeking a senior bureaucratic appointment from within the community, reflecting how caste-based expectations were sometimes linked with his presence or influence.
Dhankhar’s tenure was marked by institutional assertiveness, frequent public engagement on contentious issues and a visible confidence in his convictions. His resignation, while attributed to health reasons, occurred amid procedural and political tensions that highlighted a lack of alignment with both the legislative leadership and the executive. What remains to be seen is whether Dhankhar, now outside of high office, chooses to remain publicly active and continues to be as outspoken as he was when the Vice-President or opts for a quiet retirement.
Before his political elevation, Dhankhar had a substantial legal career. His involvement in high-profile cases such as Salman Khan’s bail in the black buck case, the Jat reservation issue in Rajasthan, the SYL water dispute, Shahrukh Khan’s defamation case over Ram Jaane, and Lalit Modi’s legal matters, established him as a prominent lawyer. This background perhaps contributed to his confidence in engaging with complex legal and constitutional questions during his tenure in public office.
How Dhankhar challenged judiciary
As Vice-President and ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar often engaged actively and sometimes contentiously in national issues. Known for being outspoken, he was not hesitant to express strong views on sensitive subjects, particularly the functioning of the judiciary. His speeches and remarks consistently emphasized his independent stance and his perception of institutional overreach by the judiciary.
Dhankhar questioned the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, which was aimed at replacing the existing collegium system for judicial appointments. He also expressed concern about the judiciary setting timelines for the President, arguing that such actions risked elevating the court to a position above the legislature and executive. His remarks, comparing judicial activism to the use of a "nuclear missile" against democratic structures, highlighted the depth of his concerns.
Dhankhar was also critical of the judiciary's handling of a corruption-related case involving Justice Yashwant Varma, especially the absence of an FIR despite the discovery of cash and the subsequent in-house inquiry by the then Chief Justice, which he called unconstitutional. From the outset, his approach seemed to signal a more combative relationship with the higher judiciary.
Dhankhar was his own man
While his resignation was officially attributed to health reasons, reports suggest it may have been influenced by tensions related to parliamentary procedure and political strategy. Specifically, Dhankhar’s decision to allow an opposition-sponsored motion in the Rajya Sabha for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma — before a similar motion from the government could be tabled in the Lok Sabha — appears to have created unease within the ruling establishment. That the Rajya Sabha motion had support from 63 Opposition MPs, and not government members, may have given the impression that the initiative was driven by the Opposition. This move, seen as jumping the gun, reportedly became a flashpoint and possibly the final trigger for his resignation.
Beyond his stance on the judiciary, Dhankhar reportedly had some friction with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla. In contrast to the amicable relationship shared by their predecessors, M. Venkaiah Naidu and Om Birla — both BJP colleagues — Dhankhar often emphasised his higher protocol status. Their differences, further complicated by their shared Rajasthan origin, reportedly played out in both Delhi and their home state.
Publicly identifying as a "farmer's son", Dhankhar often addressed agrarian issues, sometimes directly contradicting the government line. At a major event of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in the presence of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, he questioned why farmers were still protesting and raised concerns about unmet promises. Caste identity also played a role in shaping his public persona. At a Jat community event where he was present, a resolution was reportedly passed seeking a senior bureaucratic appointment from within the community, reflecting how caste-based expectations were sometimes linked with his presence or influence.
Dhankhar’s tenure was marked by institutional assertiveness, frequent public engagement on contentious issues and a visible confidence in his convictions. His resignation, while attributed to health reasons, occurred amid procedural and political tensions that highlighted a lack of alignment with both the legislative leadership and the executive. What remains to be seen is whether Dhankhar, now outside of high office, chooses to remain publicly active and continues to be as outspoken as he was when the Vice-President or opts for a quiet retirement.
You may also like
Ekta Kapoor Clarifies She Cut Ties with ALTT in 2021 After Govt Bans App for Obscene Content
Where Are the 'Mohabbatein' Students Now? Jugal Hansraj Turns 53, Here's What He's Doing in New York Today
Shah Rukh Khan's 24-Hour Routine: Just 4 Hours of Sleep, Twice-a-Day Meals & Night Workouts Power the Superstar
High Blood Pressure: If you are suffering from high blood pressure, should you drink tea or not? Know the answer..
This ₹2 Crore Nana Patekar Film Became a Cult Blockbuster, Fans Still Praise Its Iconic Climax
