Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Stresses Importance of Trust in Government

New Delhi (India) December 24 : On December 10, 2024, opposition parties in India initiated a no-confidence motion against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The motion claims that Dhankhar has been directing parliamentary proceedings in a biased manner, favoring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and suppressing opposition voices.  

Allegations of Bias

The opposition claims that Dhankhar has allowed BJP members to raise questions of their choice while rejecting notices from opposition MPs. They also criticize his denial to allow debates on pressing matters such as communal violence in Uttar Pradesh, cyclone damage in Tamil Nadu, ethnic clashes in Manipur, and the prolonged farmers' protest.

Rejection of the Motion

On December 19, 2024, Deputy Chairman Harivansh rejected the no-confidence motion, quoting procedural errors. He noted that the motion lacked a 14-day notice period and contained errors, including the misspelling of Dhankhar's name. Harivansh described the motion as "severely flawed" and intended at creating a story against the Vice President.

Jagdeep Dhankar Response

"Look at the notice against the Vice-President. Chandrashekhar ji had said, never do bypass surgery with a vegetable cutting knife... that was not even a vegetable cutting knife. The person who wrote my notice had rust on his knife! I was stunned after reading it. But I am surprised that none of you have read it," he said.

He also commented on parliament low productivity, “Have you noticed any great debate in Parliament in the last few decades? Have you noticed any great contribution made on the floor of the House? We are in the news for the wrong reason. We have learned to live with order, which is only a disorder. However, accountability has to be enforced by the media because media is the only conveyance to reach the people at large.”

Historical Context

This incident marks the first time in India's history that a no-confidence motion has been moved against the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The move highlights the rising tensions between the opposition and the ruling government, especially concerning the management of parliamentary proceedings.

Implications for Parliamentary Democracy

The opposition's action and the following rejection of the motion highlight ongoing concerns about the equality of parliamentary leadership. The event has triggered discussions on the need for reforms to ensure the independence and neutrality of the Rajya Sabha Chairman, stressing the importance of keeping democratic principles within legislative bodies.

 By Manasa Permulla