The Reluctant Exit Of A Constitutional Nationalist

News18

13 hours ago

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Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation may be effective immediately, but the echo of his voice in rulings and sharp interventions will remain in Parliament's conscience for years to come
The sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, citing health reasons, marks the end of a short but influential chapter in Indian constitutional life. At 74, Dhankhar has stepped down midway through his six-year tenure, joining the ranks of only two other vice presidents, VV Giri and R Venkataraman, who resigned before completing their terms, albeit for different reasons.
But unlike his predecessors who left to assume the higher office of the president, Dhankhar's exit is one of necessity, not political ambition. It is a moment of reflection for the Indian polity, especially for those who value articulation, constitutional clarity, and nationalist conviction in the upper echelons of public life.
Jagdeep Dhankhar's career arc has been anything but conventional. A lawyer by training and a farmer's son by identity, his rise through the political ranks was not driven by dynastic entitlement or ideological posturing. His greatest visibility came not during his years in Parliament or Cabinet, but as Governor of West Bengal. It was there, in the volatile political landscape of Bengal, that Dhankhar found his voice as a constitutional sentinel, one not afraid to call out the excesses of Mamata Banerjee's regime. Where many governors chose silence or discretion in dealing with regional satraps, Dhankhar spoke with legal precision and unapologetic nationalism. His insistence on constitutional accountability rattled the state government and often set the tone for the national debate.
'kisan putra" with deep knowledge of the Constitution and legislative procedure. It was no mere ceremonial endorsement. In a house that often witnesses theatrical opposition and walkouts, Dhankhar brought a lawyer's rigour and a patriot's candour. His ability to maintain order, invoke constitutional provisions with ease, and push back gently but firmly against unruly conduct made him a chairman who did more than wield the gavel. He wielded moral authority.
In many ways, Dhankhar's presence was the ideological complement to the BJP-led government's legislative agenda. Not in the sense of partisanship, he remained constitutionally non-aligned in his conduct, but in his understanding of India's civilisational values and constitutional ethos. When the Opposition accused the government of undermining institutions, it was Dhankhar who reminded them often with surgical clarity of constitutional roles and responsibilities. He was not afraid to confront the 'constitutional illiteracy" of some members of Parliament and frequently used the Rajya Sabha pulpit to educate, not just adjudicate.
What sets Dhankhar apart is that he was never a mere bureaucratic custodian of his office. He was an institution in motion, a living embodiment of the Constitution's intent to have checks and balances enforced with wisdom and resolve. Whether it was upholding parliamentary decorum or questioning judicial overreach, he spoke with an intellectual sharpness that kept both Houses of Parliament and courtrooms on their toes. He famously said that the 'basic structure doctrine" must evolve through discussion, not dogma, provoking necessary conversations about the limits of judicial supremacy.
His resignation letter, while graceful and full of gratitude, conceals the weight of disappointment many constitutionalists and nationalist thinkers will now carry. The timing, too, is poignant. That Dhankhar administered oaths to new Rajya Sabha members earlier in the day, only to step down hours later, shows the deep sense of duty with which he served till the very end. It was not a quiet exit, but a dignified one.
It is important to note that his resignation comes amidst recurring health issues, including a recent cardiac episode and a public fainting spell. This reminds us that even the most committed public servants are human and vulnerable. Prioritising health is not weakness; it is wisdom. Still, one cannot help but sense that his resignation has left unfinished the mission he seemed destined to carry forward: to redefine the role of vice president from being ornamental to being meaningfully constitutional.
In an age where identity politics dominates the discourse and shouting matches often substitute for debate, Jagdeep Dhankhar brought to public life a rare blend of clarity, conviction, and constitutional rectitude. He never wore nationalism like a badge for electoral optics; it was embedded in his vocabulary, his decisions, and his worldview. He spoke not for votes but for values. For that alone, he will be missed.
As India looks to find a successor, the bar he has set will be a difficult one to reach. The next vice president will inherit not just an office, but a legacy, one of fearless constitutional articulation, deep respect for India's civilisational heritage, and a refusal to bow before political expediency.
In Jagdeep Dhankhar, the country saw a vice president who was more than a chairperson of the Upper House. It saw a guardian of the Constitution, a sentinel of propriety, and above all, a nationalist who believed that the rule of law is the bedrock of Bharat's destiny. His resignation may be effective immediately, but the echo of his voice in speeches, rulings, and sharp interventions will remain in Parliament's conscience for years to come.
The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views.
About the Author
Prosenjit Nath
The writer is an Indian technocrat, political analyst, and author.
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