Jagdeep Dhankhar’s time as India’s Vice-President came to an abrupt and unexpected end on July 21, 2025, when he stepped down citing health reasons. His two-and-a-half-year tenure was anything but smooth, marked by frequent clashes with Opposition leaders and fiery exchanges in Parliament. He even faced an attempt at removal from office, a first in India’s history against a sitting Vice-President.
Dhankhar’s vice-presidency will go down as one of the stormiest in recent memory. Here are the flashpoints that defined his tumultuous relationship with the Opposition:
1. Jagdeep Dhankhar’s NJAC Remarks
Dhankhar’s tenure was controversial from the word go. He assumed office in December 2022 on a stormy note when he called the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling that struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act a “severe compromise” of parliamentary sovereignty. The Opposition saw this as an attack on judicial independence.
2. Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Refusal to Summon PM on Manipur Row
In August 2023, Opposition MPs had put forth a strong demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the ongoing violence in Manipur. However, Dhankhar had firmly said he “could not and would not” direct the PM to appear.
Also Read: Will India Get An Acting Vice President As Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns? Here Is What Constitution Says
3. Record MP Suspensions
During the Winter Session of 2023, 146 MPs were suspended for demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on a Parliament security breach. This mass suspension was the largest in parliamentary history.
4. Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Standoff With Kharge Over Dialogue
As Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge declined Dhankhar’s invitation for talks to break the stalemate, accusing the government of “weaponising” suspensions. Dhankhar criticised Kharge for refusing dialogue, calling it “against parliamentary traditions”.
5. The ‘Stain on Parliament’ Comment
In June 2024, Kharge entered the Well of the House during protests over paper leaks. Dhankhar called it a “stain” on Parliament. Kharge accused him of ignoring Opposition voices while favouring the government.
6. First-Ever No-Confidence Motion Against a VP
In a first in Indian history, a no-confidence motion was moved against a sitting vice president as 60 INDIA bloc MPs sought to remove Jagdeep Dhankhar in December 2024. The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, however, rejected the motion, calling it “flawed and hasty”.
7. Dhankhar’s Controversial Public Remarks on Constitution and RSS
Dhankhar didn’t shy away from political commentary. In mid-2024, he described the addition of “socialist” and “secular” to the Preamble during the Emergency as a “festering wound” and praised the RSS as a “global think tank”. Both statements triggered Opposition outrage.
8. Mimicry Row That Drew Presidential Rebuke
Last year, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee was seen mimicking Dhankhar during a protest demonstration outside Parliament. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi filmed it on his phone. All this triggered a big political storm. It even prompted President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to condemn the act.
Also Read: Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns: Who Will Be India’s Next Vice President? Election Process Explained
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
