Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns as Vice President of India Citing Health Reasons; Ends Tenure Two Years Early
In an unexpected and emotional turn of events, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar submitted his resignation on Monday, marking a significant development on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The resignation took the political establishment by surprise and brought a reflective pause to the usually charged atmosphere of the Rajya Sabha.
Dhankhar, who also served as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, announced his resignation mere hours after he presided over the first sitting of the Upper House for the current parliamentary session.
His decision, effective immediately, was conveyed through a formal letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, wherein he cited health care priorities and medical advice as the primary reasons behind his exit.
Cites Article 67(a) of the Constitution
In his resignation letter, Dhankhar specifically invoked Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution, which outlines the resignation process for the Vice President. The article states that the Vice President may resign by submitting a written resignation addressed to the President of India.
“To prioritize health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, by Article 67(a) of the Constitution,” read the official communication from Dhankhar.
A Tenure Cut Short
Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, had assumed the post of Vice President in August 2022, and his constitutional term was to extend until 2027. However, his voluntary resignation has cut short his tenure by two full years.
Despite the premature departure, Dhankhar chose to reflect on his time in office with gratitude and positivity. In his farewell note, he expressed heartfelt thanks to President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Union Council of Ministers for their cooperation during his tenure. He also acknowledged the pivotal role he played during a period of India’s transformative rise on the global stage.
“As I leave this esteemed office, I am filled with pride in Bharat’s global rise and phenomenal achievements, and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future,” he wrote, signaling both a personal farewell and a patriotic note of optimism.
Reactions from the Political Sphere
The announcement of Dhankhar’s resignation sparked a range of reactions across the political spectrum, with many expressing surprise and sadness over his decision.
Veteran politician and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal was among the first to publicly react, stating that he was “saddened” by the resignation. Sibal, who has known Dhankhar for over three decades, highlighted their camaraderie that went beyond political ideologies.
“We may have had differences in respect to our political views, or on opinions, but at a personal level, we had a very strong bond,” Sibal stated while speaking to reporters. He reminisced about their shared legal background, informal gatherings at family events, and mutual respect cultivated over years of public service.
Sibal also lauded Dhankhar’s inclusive approach in parliamentary functioning:
“Whenever I needed time to speak in the House, I met him personally in his chamber, and he never refused me. He always gave me a little more time than is usually available to independent members of Parliament.”
