Page 5 - Vice President

Executive alone responsible for governance in democracy, says VP Dhankhar

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said 'governance in democracy is solely the executive's role, not the courts', stressing its accountability to Parliament and the people who elect it

US Vice-President JD Vance to join wife Usha in Greenland on March 28

US Vice-President J D Vance has said that he's joining his wife on a Friday trip to Greenland, suggesting in an online video that global security is at stake. We're going to check out how things are going there, Vance said in a video shared on Tuesday. Speaking for President Trump, we want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it's important to protecting the security of the entire world, he said. US President Donald Trump irked much of Europe by suggesting that his country should in some form control the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark. As the nautical gateway to the Arctic and North Atlantic approaches to North America, Greenland has broader strategic value as both China and Russia also seek access to its waterways and the nearby natural resources. The office of second lady Usha Vance said on Sunday that she would depart on Thursday for Greenland and return on Saturday. Usha Vance and one of her three children h

Sonia Gandhi, Mamata among those who inquired about my health: VP Dhankhar

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were among the leaders who got in touch with the family of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to inquire about his health after he was hospitalised for cardiac-related ailments. Dhankhar revealed this in the Rajya Sabha on Monday as he resumed chairing the proceedings of the House. He said he was "greatly touched" by the concerns expressed across party lines which contributed to his speedy recovery. "The Leader of the House (and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mallikarjun Kharge) were the first ones to get in touch with my family. "Sonia Gandhi got in touch with my wife as did the chief ministers of several states including West Bengal," he added. Gandhi was present in the House when Dhankhar mentioned this. Dhankhar, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital on March 9 followi

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar recovers, discharged from AIIMS-Delhi

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar was discharged from AIIMS-Delhi on Wednesday after making a satisfactory recovery, the premier hospital said. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on March 9 following cardiac-related ailments, it said in a statement. "After receiving necessary care from the medical team at AIIMS, he made a satisfactory recovery and was discharged on March 12," AIIMS-Delhi said. He has been advised to take adequate rest for the next few days.

V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar admitted to Aiims after chest pain, condition stable

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at AIIMS Delhi after he complained of uneasiness and chest pain

VP Dhankhar advises students to think big, embrace failure as a lesson

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday advised students not to allow anyone to dictate their course of action, asking them not to be afraid of failure. Dhankhar made these remarks while addressing a convocation ceremony of Jan Nayak Chaudhary Devi Lal Vidyapeeth (JCD) in Sirsa. Haryana minister Ranbir Gangwa, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala, who is president of the Devi Lal Memorial Trust; and INLD MLA Arjun Chautala, who is chairman of JCD Vidyapeeth, were among others present. At the beginning of his convocation address, Dhankhar told the gathering to always put the nation first, saying, "There can be no interest higher than the national interest. Personal and political interests are insignificant." Dhankhar called upon the students to choose a career in life according to their interests and aptitudes. "Allow your life to go like a river and not like a canal... there was a time when a child was born and parents used to decide what career their chi

Bharat is the fastest-growing global economy in last decade: VP Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday said the country has seen exponential economic upsurge in the last decade and has become the fastest growing global economy during this period. The Vice President made the statement while delivering the 4th P Parameswaran Memorial Lecture organised here by the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendra. P Parameswaran was one of the senior-most 'pracharaks' of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and a former leader of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Dhankhar said that in 1989 when he was an MP and in 1991 when he was a Union Minister, the "atmosphere did not inspire us". "Now our Bharat is brimming with positivity and possibility. It is full of hope and aspirations. All around and all pervasive, we can see an ecosystem of hope and possibility. In the last decade, Bharat has seen an exponential economic upsurge," he said. He further said that the country was the fifth largest global economy and was "on its way to becoming a USD 4 trillion economy ver

Article 136 misuse hurting arbitration, need to have domain experts: V-P

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said the provision of special leave petition was supposed to be a "narrow slit" but is now hurting the arbitral process due to its wide use. He also stressed on the need to have domain experts in arbitration cases, saying experts in varied areas can be utilised in handling complex matters involving commercial disputes. Addressing a conference on arbitration here, Dhankhar drew the attention towards the use of Article 136 and its impact on the arbitral process. "... Article 136 intervention was supposed to be a narrow-slit. The wall has been demolished with anything and everything under the sun, including what a magistrate has to do, what a session judge has to do, what a district judge has to do, what a high court judge has to do," he said. Article 136 of the Constitution allows the Supreme Court to grant "special leave" to appeal from any judgment or order. It is called as a special leave petition (SLP). Dhankhar said the "wall demolit

Illegal immigrants now meddling in India's electoral process: V-P Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday claimed that illegal immigrants are interfering in the country's electoral process, and there should be awareness about this. In apparent reference to the recent deportation of illegal immigrants by the United States government, he said every Indian should ask when this process would begin in our country. Dhankhar was speaking at the 65th convocation ceremony of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University here. "Crores of people who have no right to live in India are living here...They are making their livelihood here. They are making demands on our resources. On our education, health sector, housing sector. Now things have gone further. They are intervening in our electoral process," said the vice president. "It is the duty of all of us that we spread a mentality ('manasikta') in the country, create such an atmosphere....that every Indian becomes alert to this," he said. Without referring to the United States, he said some countries ..

VP Jagdeep Dhankhar urges exposure of those behind attack on democracy

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday voiced concern over the alleged USAID funding for raising voter turnout in India, saying people who allowed such an attack on the country's democratic values should be exposed. He also said that it was the "national duty" of people to strike at such forces. Addressing an event in Miami on Thursday, US President Donald Trump once again questioned the USAID funding of USD 21 million for voter turnout in India, and said "I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected". Speaking at an event on meditation here, Dhankhar said the remarks on USAID funding came from a person of authority and that it was a fact that money was given. Calling for the use of "Chanakya niti" to get into the root of the controversy, he said the problem should be eradicated from its roots. "People who allowed such kind of an attack (to allegedly damage the electoral purity) should be exposed," he said. He also said delivering a body blow to such forces is the ...

VP Dhankhar questions CJI's involvement with executive appointment

How can in a country like ours or in any democracy, by statutory prescription, Chief Justice of India participate in the selection of the CBI director, VP Jagdeep Dhankhar questioned

Waqf Bill accepted in Rajya Sabha amid strong Opposition protests

During the debate on the report on the amended Waqf Bill, the Opposition said that dissent notes in the report by Opposition MPs were removed and restored to sloganeering

Copy of Constitution signed by its framers with 22 miniatures authentic: VP

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said the signed copy of the Constitution by its framers carrying 22 miniatures is the only authentic copy and can only include amendments by Parliament, and the same should be promulgated in the country. Any violation should be taken seriously by the government and severe action taken, he added. "I have no doubt and I am categorical, the Constitution signed by the founding fathers of the Constitution, carrying 22 miniatures, is the only authentic one and it can include amendments by the Parliament. If there is any change effected by judiciary or any institution, it is not acceptable to this House. "I will appeal to the leader of the House to ensure that in the country, only the authentic version of the Indian Constitution be promulgated. Any violation of this should be taken quite seriously by the government and severe action taken," Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said in the House. The Chairman was responding to the issue raised by BJP M

India cannot have millions of illegal migrants, says Vice President

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday said the country cannot have millions of illegal migrants and allow the electoral politics to be disturbed by demographic dislocations, as he appealed to the youth to neutralise anti-national narratives. Dhankhar, also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, voiced concerns over frequent disruptions in Parliament. Speaking at the World Forum of Accountants (WOFA) conference in the national capital, he said the youth should be concerned about the existential challenges. "Our nation cannot afford to have millions of illegal migrants... We cannot allow our electoral politics to be disturbed by demographic dislocations and earthquakes. These are things that will matter for you because these are the challenges for which you have to collectively finally answer," he said. Without elaborating further, Dhankhar said, "I have no doubt... kaha jaatha hai, samajdhar ko eshaara kafi hai (it is said that for informed people, signal is enough)". Expressing ...

VP Dhankhar calls for constructive debate and dialogue in Parliament

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday underscored the need for constructive debate and dialogue in Parliament, saying the era of disruption should end and make way for meaningful discussions. His remarks came ahead of the Budget session of Parliament. While addressing the 33rd Foundation Day of the National Commission for Women (NCW), he said what the country truly needs is an opposition that is both constructive and cooperative. "There will now be more debate, dialogue, discussion, deliberation, and not disturbance or disruption in this Parliament," the Rajya Sabha chairman said, highlighting the importance of a cooperative opposition. Reflecting on women's empowerment, he lauded the recent reservation for women in legislatures, calling it a landmark achievement. "Now we have reservation for women to the extent of one-third," he said, adding the country is witnessing an affirmative ecosystem that supports women's aspirations. However, he cautioned that with increased aspirat

Illegal migrants challenge for health, edu, employment sectors: V-P Dhankar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressing the 76th foundation day celebrations of Uttar Pradesh on Friday, raised concerns over the presence of illegal refugees in the country and called for immediate action to safeguard the nation's interests. He also urged the youth to take a stand against individuals and entities engaged in anti-national activities. "There are crores of illegal refugees in India who pose serious challenges to our healthcare, education, and employment sectors," Dhankhar said. "This is a matter of grave concern, as they are now seeking to influence electoral processes. Across the globe, developed nations are addressing such issues, and India, too, must act swiftly for its stability and dignity." He further stressed, "It is essential to confront and neutralise those forces working to weaken India and align with anti-national elements. The youth must exercise their immense power to counter such threats effectively." Highlighting Uttar Pradesh's contribution to ..

Access to judiciary weaponised, Institutions not working within domain: V-P

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday said access to judiciary has been "weaponised" and it poses a great challenge to India's governance and democratic values. He also said institutions are not working within their domain. In an apparent attack on the judiciary, he said every day one finds advisories being issued and executive functions being performed by bodies that have no jurisdiction or jurisprudential authority or competence to perform those actions. "To put it in a layman's language, a tehsildar can never record an FIR. How so very strongly he may feel because our Constitution ordains institutions have to work within their own domain. Are they working? I'll answer for you, no," he said. He said "day in and day out you will find advisories emanating (and) executive functions being performed by bodies that have no jurisdictional or jurisprudential authority or competence to perform those actions". The vice president made these remarks while addressing students of the ..

India's history written by colonisers with distorted perspective: Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday said it was a travesty that the ignorant were trying to make us aware about inclusivity by their narrow -minded approach. He also said that the first draft of the country's history came through colonisers' distorted perspective. While thousands contributed to the freedom struggle, only a few were promoted. Even post-Independence, this was allowed to take roots. This disrupted organic evolution of our knowledge system, the vice president said. "We have to unshackle ourselves from colonial legacy and mindset," he said. He asserted that the philosophical schools of Vedanta, Jainism, Buddhism and others have always encouraged dialogue and co-existence -- the principles that hold immense value in today's polarised world. It was time now to ensure India's heritage blossoms and thrives and there could not be a more opportune time, he noted while urging the youth to take pride in India's mathematical contributions. Much of the problems we are fac

We iconise personalities quickly without asking questions: VP Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday lamented that Indians idolise and iconise personalities very quickly, asserting that people should develop tendency of asking questions. He also asserted that indispensability of human resource is a myth. "The idea that things can't function without you doesn't hold true," Dhankhar said. "God has already determined the limit of your longevity. So, he has also decided that you can't be indispensable," he added. Addressing the convocation ceremony of the Masters' Union in Gurugram, Dhankhar said, " It is a very simple thing in our country. We idolise and iconise very quickly, and we never ask why he is a great lawyer, why he is a great leader, why he is a great doctor, why he is a great journalist. We just assume that it is...You must ask questions." He also urged the youth to believe in themselves, saying "no living mortal is entitled to your respect unless you see virtue in them". "The urge to be a sycophant or a hypocrite must never be .

Extensions in service setback to those who are in line: V-P Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Saturday that extensions in service, extensions in any form for a particular post are set back to those who are in line. Dhankhar was delivering the inaugural address at the 25th National Conference of Chairpersons of State Public Service Commission being held in Bengaluru. According to him, extension of service indicates that some individuals are indispensable. "Indispensability is a myth. Talent abounds in this country. No one is indispensable. And therefore, it lies in the domain of public service commissions at the state and the central level that when they have a role in such kinds of situations, they must be firm," added the VP. He also said public service commissions' appointments cannot be driven by patronage, or by favouritism. "We cannot have a public service commission Chairman or a member, wedded to a particular ideology or an individual. That will be undoing the essence and spirit of the framework of the constitution," said ...