Jagdeep Dhankhar's tenure as the Vice President of India, from August 2022 until his resignation on July 21, 2025, has been marked by a series of controversies and disagreements, leading some to label him the most controversial VP in post-1947 India. Citing health reasons, Dhankhar stepped down before completing his term, a move that has sparked speculation and debate across the political spectrum.
Dhankhar's career has been diverse, spanning legal practice, legislative roles, and governorship. He was a member of the Lok Sabha and the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, and served as the Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022. During his time as governor, he frequently clashed with the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee, becoming a vocal critic of the state administration. These clashes foreshadowed the conflicts that would define his vice presidency.
As Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar's relationship with the opposition was often strained. His term began on a contentious note during the Winter Session of Parliament in 2022 when he criticized the Supreme Court's 2015 judgment that struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, calling it a "glaring instance" of a "severe compromise" of parliamentary sovereignty. This criticism set the tone for future disagreements with the judiciary and the opposition.
Throughout his tenure, Dhankhar repeatedly emphasized the supremacy of Parliament, a stance that often put him at odds with the judiciary. For instance, he questioned the Supreme Court's setting of timelines for the President and Governors to decide on bills passed by state assemblies, arguing that it encroached upon the legislature's domain. These remarks drew criticism from legal experts and opposition leaders, who accused him of undermining judicial independence.
The strained relationship between Dhankhar and the opposition reached a boiling point during the Winter Session of 2023 when a large number of MPs were suspended from both houses of Parliament. The suspensions, triggered by demands for a statement from the Union Home Minister regarding a Parliament security breach, led to widespread protests and accusations of bias against Dhankhar. In response, some opposition members moved a motion seeking his removal, though it was ultimately rejected on technical grounds.
Dhankhar's actions and statements in the Rajya Sabha often sparked controversy. He defended the suspension of MPs, terming it "unavoidable" due to their "extreme degree of misconduct". His remarks on Sonia Gandhi's comments about the judiciary also drew flak, with Dhankhar asserting that delegitimizing the judiciary was beyond his contemplation.
Despite the controversies, Dhankhar also initiated reforms within the Rajya Sabha secretariat, aiming to improve the content of Rajya Sabha TV and promote female officers. He maintained that constitutional institutions should respect each other's roles and avoid encroaching on each other's domains.
In the wake of his resignation, opposition parties have expressed shock and hinted at underlying motives beyond health concerns. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh noted that Dhankhar appeared well shortly before the announcement, fueling speculation about the real reasons behind his departure. However, leaders from other parties acknowledged his health issues, including a recent cardiac procedure and a fainting spell.
Following Dhankhar's resignation, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will temporarily assume the role of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha until a new Vice President is elected. The election process for Dhankhar's successor is expected to unfold in the coming days. Dhankhar is only the third Vice President in Indian history to resign mid-term.
