Union Home Minister Amit Shah has dismissed claims made by the opposition regarding the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, asserting that Dhankhar stepped down due to health issues. Shah's statements come amidst speculation and questions raised by opposition leaders about the sudden nature of Dhankhar's departure.
In an interview with ANI on Monday, August 25, 2025, Shah clarified that Dhankhar's resignation letter clearly stated health reasons as the primary cause. He also noted that Dhankhar expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister, other ministers, and government members for their support during his tenure. Shah urged against making unnecessary speculations about the matter, emphasizing that Dhankhar held a constitutional post and discharged his duties accordingly.
Opposition leaders have questioned the reasons behind Dhankhar's resignation, with some suggesting that he was placed under "house arrest" or "silenced" by the government. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed it was unprecedented for a Vice President's resignation to be followed by what he termed as silencing. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also voiced concerns. Supreme Court advocate Kapil Sibal even raised the possibility of filing a habeas corpus petition, considering Dhankhar's absence from public view.
Shah refuted these claims, stating that the opposition's interpretation of events should not be the sole basis for determining truth. He added that Dhankhar's resignation was a result of personal health concerns and should not be subject to excessive deliberation.
Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament. At the time, he stated his desire to prioritize healthcare and follow medical advice. As Vice-President, Dhankhar also served as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and he submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu.
Prior to his resignation, Dhankhar had an "unscheduled" meeting with President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. However, no official statement was released regarding the content of their discussion. The BJP has consistently maintained that Dhankhar's resignation was due to health reasons, dismissing any suggestions of disagreements with him.
Amit Shah's recent statements aim to put an end to the speculation surrounding Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation, reinforcing the government's position that it was solely motivated by health concerns. He has asked that the matter should be put to rest and not be stretched unnecessarily.