Jagdeep Dhankhar accepting Opposition notice to impeach Justice Varma rubbed Govt ‘wrong way'
The first of these was by the Opposition which started two weeks ago but picked up momentum Sunday, to collect at least 50 signatures – the minimum needed to move a motion in the Rajya Sabha – to initiate the removal of Justice Varma.
The government saw this as a move by the Opposition to undercut its own motion in this regard in the Lok Sabha, for which it had collected 145 signatures – the minimum for Lok Sabha is 100 – including those of the Opposition. Incidentally, in the run-up to the monsoon session, the Government had made it clear that it would move a motion to impeach the judge.
The Modi government hoped that the removal of Justice Varma then would be by 'consensus' and not seen as partisan. (The motion to remove a judge can be initiated in either House.)
An Opposition MP told The Indian Express that they were, however, determined to keep NDA members out of their Rajya Sabha initiative, to ensure that the ruling coalition didn't walk away with the anti-corruption plank on the matter. 'We did not want the government to have the moral high ground on the issue,' the MP said.
Opposition sources said another reason was that they also wanted to raise the issue of Justice Shekhar Yadav, whose removal has been sought for controversial remarks at a VHP event, along with that of Justice Varma.
As Monday morning came, and the Monsoon Session began, the Opposition was still trying to muster enough signatures to give a notice for the removal of Justice Varma.
Around 1 pm, Dhankhar held a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to decide the time and nature of discussions to be held in the Rajya Sabha.
The meeting was inconclusive, with the Opposition seeking more time to decide on the government's suggestions. Dhankhar then said that another BAC meeting would be held later in the day, at 4.30 pm.
By 3 pm, the Opposition submitted its notice for removal of Justice Varma to Dhankhar.
At 3.12 pm, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh tweeted: 'Today 63 Rajya Sabha MPs belonging to various Opposition parties submitted a notice of motion to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma under the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968. A similar motion for the removal of Justice Shekhar Yadav had been submitted to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, way back on Dec 13, 2024.'
According to sources, the government was not too happy about Dhankhar accepting the motion, upstaging its own initiative in the Rajya Sabha. A frantic exercise began allegedly then to rustle up signatures of NDA MPs.
There was confusion about the purpose of the move. Several BJP MPs told The Indian Express that the signatures were taken for 'impeachment' of Justice Varma. However, two of their counterparts from the NDA underlined that they had signed on 'blank papers', suggesting that the intention was not clear.
Three Cabinet members told The Indian Express that the signatures were meant for a notice against Justice Varma. A minister added that the proceedings, however, 'will be in the Lok Sabha only'.
'But since the Chair (Dhankhar) has taken up the matter in the Rajya Sabha also, the presiding officers of both will form a three-member committee to probe the matter.'
Shortly after the Opposition submitted its notice, Dhankhar came to the Rajya Sabha and announced around 4.05 pm Monday that he had received it. 'A notice of motion under Article 271 (1) (b), read with Article 218 and Article 124, sub article 4 of the Constitution of India, along with Section 3 (1B) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to constitute a statutory committee for removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad' had been submitted, the Vice President said.
Dhankhar added that according to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, when notices of a motion are submitted on the same day in both Houses of Parliament, a committee to examine the charges is to be constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman together.
Incidentally, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is yet to inform the House about the Justice Varma notice.
So this move from Dhankhar, sources in the BJP said, was 'unexpected, shocking and confusing'.
A top source in the government said: 'He did not even wait for our notice on the matter.'
Interestingly, Dhankhar went on to also refer to the Opposition notice on removal of Justice Yadav of the Allahabad High Court. Without mentioning Justice Yadav by name, Dhankhar said that the confusion over the signatures in the notice submitted by the Opposition was the reason for the hold-up in the process, initiated in December.
He added that he would get back to the House once the probe in the case was completed.
This did not go down well with the government either, which has been trying to go easy on the Justice Yadav matter.
Dhankhar then mentioned the case of the discovery of a wad of notes in the Rajya Sabha in February last year, allegedly from a seat belonging to MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Calling it a serious matter, Dhankhar said the matter would have to be dealt with, and that the floor leaders would have to help him in this.
Around half-an-hour later, Dhankhar started the BAC meeting he had announced earlier in the day. But even as the Opposition came for it, no one from the government side – either J P Nadda, the Leader of the House, or Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and MoS, Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal – turned up.
On Tuesday, speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Nadda said Rijiju and he had informed Dhankhar in advance that they would not be able to attend the meeting as they had another engagement.
A source from the government said: 'After we informed the Chairman that the ministers would not be able to be present, he said he would wait for some time and carry on with the meeting.'
Nadda also gave a clarification regarding his remarks 'Nothing will go on record, only what I say will go on record' in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, saying these were directed at the 'interrupting' Opposition MPs and not the Chair.
After Dhankhar's resignation, the Congress had cited this 'insult' to the Vice President as one of the reasons behind his sudden move.
On Tuesday, Congress leader Ramesh speculated in a post on X that 'something very serious' occurred between 1 pm and 4.30 pm, which prompted Nadda and Rijiju to skip the BAC 'deliberately', and said Dhankhar had taken 'umbrage' at this.
Six hours after government representatives did not turn up for the BAC meeting, at 9.25 pm Monday, Dhankar posted his resignation letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu on the official X handle of the Vice President, saying he was stepping down due to medical reasons.
The first official reaction from the BJP or the government was at 12.13 pm Tuesday, when PM Modi tweeted: 'Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.'
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Jul 28, 2025 14:48 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is not random madness. There is a method in this madness. This is a fundamental rage, said Mr Singh. Jul 28, 2025 14:43 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE: Rajnath Singh Calls To Focus On "Results" While leading a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that in any exam, results matter, not whether a pencil was broken during an exam or a pen was lost. Ultimately, results matter, he said, while calling the Opposition to focus on the outcome of Op Sindoor. In Operation Sindoor, our armed forces fully achieved the objectives they had set, he reiterated. Jul 28, 2025 14:35 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE: Rajnath Singh Hits At Opposition Opposition asking how many of our aircraft were shot down, never asked how many enemy aircraft came down, said Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha. "Opposition should ask whether Operation Sindoor was successful? The answer is, yes," he added. #WATCH | Delhi | In the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "... Few members of the Opposition have been asking how many of our aircraft were shot down? I feel their question does not adequately represent our national sentiments. They have not asked us how many enemy… — ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2025 Jul 28, 2025 14:29 (IST) Share Parliament Session LIVE: Rajnath Singh On Purpose Of Op Sindoor The purpose of Op Sindoor was not to cross the border or capture a territory. The purpose of initiating Operation Sindoor was to destroy the terror nurseries nurtured by Pakistan. The aim was to provide justice to the families who lost their loved ones in the Pak-sponsored Pahalgam terror attack. "Op Sindoor's politico-military objective was to punish Pakistan, fighting a a proxy-war in the name of terrorism. Therefore, armed forces were given a free hand to choose their targets and give a befitting reply. The objective was not to initiate a war," he added. Jul 28, 2025 14:26 (IST) India's Action Has Been Bold, Concrete, Effective: Rajnath Singh In response to the May 10 attack by Pakistan, India's action has been bold, concrete, and effective, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Jul 28, 2025 14:24 (IST) India Used S-400 To Counter Pak's Attacks: Rajnath Singh Pakistan attacked Indian targets, which were repulsed by S-400 and other air defence systems, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha. "Pakistan couldn't hit any of our targets. Neither of our important assets has been hit," he added. Jul 28, 2025 14:20 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE: Rajnath Singh On Op Sindoor "Ye sindoor ki laali, shaurya ki kahani hai. Bharat ke mastak par veerta ki nishani hai (This red vermilion is a story of valour. It is a symbol of bravery on the forehead of India)," said Rajnath Singh in Hindi, while praising Op Sindoor, India's counterstrike to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Jul 28, 2025 14:17 (IST) Share Parliament Session LIVE: Rajnath Singh On Op Sindoor Before executing Operation Sindoor, our forces studied every aspect and chose option that would cause maximum damage to terrorists, while ensuring no harm to innocent civilians Indian armed forces carried out coordinated strikes against nine terror sites, the operation was completed within 22 minutes Jul 28, 2025 14:10 (IST) Share Watch Live: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh On Op Sindoor Speaking in Lok Sabha during Special Discussion on India's strong, successful and decisive 'Operation Sindoor'. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 28, 2025 Jul 28, 2025 14:08 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE: Rajnath Singh Lauds Valour Of Armed Forces Leading the discussion on Op Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the armed forces. At the onset of his speech, Mr Singh bowed to the armed forces, protecting the nation and willing to dedicate their lives to the nation. सदन के सभी दलों का आभार व्यक्त करता हूँ कि #OperationSindoor की सफलता पर चर्चा के लिए सदन तैयार है। मैं उन वीर सपूतों को नमन करता हूँ जिन्होंने राष्ट्र की रक्षा में हमेशा अपना सर्वस्व न्यौछावर किया। पूरे देश की तरफ से मैं हमारी सेना के हर जवान के प्रति कृतज्ञता व्यक्त करता हूँ। — SansadTV (@sansad_tv) July 28, 2025 Jul 28, 2025 14:07 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE: Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till Tomorrow 11 AM #monsoonsession2025 #Rajyasabha adjourned till 11:00AM on 29.07.2025 @VPIndia @harivansh1956 — SansadTV (@sansad_tv) July 28, 2025 Jul 28, 2025 14:05 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Initiates Debate On Op Sindoor In Lok Sabha Defence Minister Rajnath Singh initiates debate on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha. The discussion was scheduled for noon, but owing to protests by the opposition, the lower House was adjourned thrice before debate could begin. Jul 28, 2025 12:26 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE 'Do you want a discussion on Operation Sindoor or not?' Speaker Om Birla asks Opposition MPs protesting over Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar before adjourning the Lok Sabha till 1 pm. 'Do you want a discussion on Operation Sindoor or not?' Speaker Om Birla asks Opposition MPs protesting over SIR exercise in Bihar before adjourning the Lok Sabha till 1 pm #OperationSindoor #OperationSindoorDebate — NDTV (@ndtv) July 28, 2025 Jul 28, 2025 12:09 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE: Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 1 PM Lok Sabha adjourned for the second time in a day. Jul 28, 2025 11:49 (IST) Shashi Tharoor Evades NDTV Question, Not On Congress Op Sindoor Debate List Congress MP Shashi Tharoor evaded a question on whether he would speak during the special discussion in the Parliament on Operation Sindoor today, amid reports that he is not among the speakers chosen by his Congress party. Mr Tharoor was in the Parliament complex ahead of the resumption of the Monsoon session when an NDTV journalist asked him if he was among the speakers who would lead the charge against the government over the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. The MP from Thiruvananthapuram walked away without answering, only to turn back when a colleague, Renuka Chowdhury, called him. "Worst Kind Of Troll": P Chidambaram Counters BJP Fire Over Pahalgam Remark Countering the BJP's attack over his remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack, Congress veteran P Chidambaram has said the "worst kind of troll" is one who suppresses a full interview and uses two sentences to paint the speaker black. "Trolls are of different kinds and use different tools to spread misinformation. The worst kind is a troll who suppresses the full recorded interview, takes two sentences, mutes some words, and paints the speaker in a black colour," the former Home Minister said amid the massive row over his remarks in an interview with The Quint. Trolls are of different kinds and use different tools to spread misinformation The worst kind is a troll who suppresses the full recorded interview, takes two sentences, mutes some words, and paints the speaker in a black colour! — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) July 28, 2025 Jul 28, 2025 11:03 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE Proceedings begin in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Jul 28, 2025 10:53 (IST) Share Parliament Session LIVE: INDIA Bloc Protest Against Special Intensive Revision The Opposition is protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise underway in Bihar. Jul 28, 2025 10:46 (IST) INDIA Bloc Floor Leaders Meet Ahead Of Parliament Monsoon Session Delhi | Meeting of INDIA bloc Floor leaders is being held in Parliament House as the Monsoon session is underway (Source: AICC) — ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2025 Jul 28, 2025 10:26 (IST) "Where Are Those Terrorists?" Congress MP Pramod Tiwari On Pahalgam Terror Attack Congress MP Pramod Tiwari questioned the whereabouts of the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people - 24 tourists, a local and a Nepali citizen were killed. "The question is straight, we want to know where those terrorists are who killed the husbands of our 26 sisters. The government has failed till dangerous game being played in Kashmir is not beneficial for the nation. We want to know who those terrorists are, where they came from, and why they have not been caught till now," Mr Tiwari said. #WATCH | Delhi | On Congress leader P Chidambaram's reported statement on Pahalgam terrorists, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari says, "The question is straight, we want to know where are those terrorists who killed the husbands of our 26 sisters. The government has failed till — ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2025 "Opposition Wanted To Waste Time, Public Money": BJP MP Manju Sharma On Disruptions In Parliament Proceedings BJP MP Manju Sharma on Sunday said that the government never refused to discuss Operation Sindoor in Parliament and blamed the opposition for wasting an entire week of the session by disrupting proceedings. "The opposition consistently requested a discussion on Operation Sindoor. The government will do it. However, the opposition doesn't allow the parliament to function," Ms Sharma said while speaking to the news agency ANI. She said that while the government was ready to engage on the issue, the opposition had "just wanted to waste time and public money." "The government wanted to work on every matter, but the opposition just wanted to waste time and public money... The opposition should understand that the government has never refused to discuss any issue. By taking this, these people wasted a whole week," Ms Sharma added. Parliament Session LIVE On Congress leader P Chidambaram's reported statement on Pahalgam terrorists, Congress MP Imraan Masood said, "If the terrorists came from Pakistan, then how are our borders secured? They came, committed the act and left. We will ask if they were airlifted and airdropped, where they came from, and where they went. We have the right to know..." #WATCH | Delhi | On Congress leader P Chidambaram's reported statement on Pahalgam terrorists, Congress MP Imraan Masood says, "If the terrorists came from Pakistan, then how are our borders secured? They came, committed the act and left. We will ask if they were airlifted and… — ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2025 Jul 28, 2025 10:14 (IST) NDA MPs Protest Against Maulana Sajid Rashidi's Derogatory Remarks Against Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav NDA MPs hold a protest outside the Parliament against All India Imam Association (AIIA) President Moulana Sajid Rashidi's derogatory remark against Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav during a television debate. Jul 28, 2025 10:10 (IST) "Clean Chit To Pak": BJP Slams P Chidambaram's "Homegrown Terrorists" Remark Ahead of the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament, a massive political row has erupted over Congress veteran P Chidambaram's remarks in an interview, in which he said "homegrown terrorists" could be involved in the Pahalgam terror attack and questioned what evidence proves that the killers came from Pakistan. The BJP has accused the Opposition party of giving a clean chit to Pakistan and said the Congress always bends over backwards to "protect the enemy". "Will Discuss Valour Of Indian Armed Forces": BJP MP Shambhu Sharan Patel On Op Sindoor Discussion Bharatiya Janata Party MP Shambhu Sharan Patel said that there will be a detailed discussion on Operation Sindoor in Lok Sabha on Monday, and senior leaders of the party will participate in it. Speaking with the news agency ANI, Shambhu Sharan Patel said, "The Prime Minister and our government have clearly stated that we are ready for a discussion on Operation Sindoor in Parliament. Senior leaders of our party will participate, and there will be a detailed discussion in the Lok Sabha." "We will discuss the valour of the Indian Armed forces who attacked Pakistan in their house, and targeted nine terror sites," he added. Chandra Shekhar Aazad Backs Operation Sindoor Debate In Lok Sabha In the discussion regarding Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, MP from Nagina and National President of the Azad Samaj Party, Kanshi Ram, Chandrashekhar Azad said that he hopes the discussion will be positive and thorough. He said, "I hope the discussion will be positive, and through the discussion, we will work to ask questions of the government on behalf of the public. I congratulate the country's army... I pray for the soldiers who were martyred..." "When Ravan Crossed The Laxman Rekha...": Kiren Rijiju's Post Ahead Of Op Sindoor Debate Ahead of a special discussion on Op Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju took to X (formerly Twitter) and compared Pakistan to Ravana, the principal antagonist of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana and said that when Laxman Rekha, that is, boundaries drawn by India, were crossed, terrorist camps faced the fire. Discussion on #OperationSindoor to begin today... When Ravan crossed the Laxman Rekha, Lanka burned. When Pakistan crossed the red lines drawn by India, terrorist camps faced the fire! जब रावण ने लक्ष्मण रेखा पार की, तो लंका जल गई। जब पाकिस्तान ने भारत द्वारा खींची गई लाल रेखा… — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) July 28, 2025 Jul 28, 2025 09:31 (IST) Parliament Session LIVE: Special Discussion On India's "Strong, Successful And Decisive Operation Sindoor" A special discussion on Operation Sindoor, India's response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, will begin in the Lok Sabha at noon. A 'special discussion' is a focused debate on a matter of national importance or urgency, often outside the routine legislative business. It's not governed by a specific rule like Rule 193 or Rule 176, but is instead scheduled by consensus through the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) and listed in the agenda by the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha). Unlike other debates, it doesn't require a motion to be passed or voted upon. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will open the 16-hour debate involving Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had held several meetings with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and three service chiefs to prepare the government's response on Operation Sindoor.
