Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Warns of Weaponized Judiciary, Declining Governance Standards.
New Delhi:
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today expressed deep concern over the erosion of democratic values and governance in India, highlighting the weaponization of the judiciary, the rise of political chaos, and the decline of parliamentary decorum. Speaking to a group of participants from the Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership (IIDL) at his residence, Dhankhar underscored the growing threat posed by these issues to the nation’s democratic framework.
The Vice President emphasized that while access to the judiciary is a fundamental right, it has, in recent years, been “weaponized” to undermine the effective functioning of government institutions. He warned that this development has become a significant challenge to the country’s democratic values. “In recent decades, access to the judiciary has been weaponized to another level, posing a great challenge to our governance and our democratic values,” Dhankhar said, adding that various bodies without proper jurisdiction or competence are increasingly assuming executive roles, undermining the separation of powers.
Further elaborating on the issue, Dhankhar pointed out that institutions are yielding ground to one another out of expediency, which, though may offer short-term benefits, could cause long-term damage to the integrity of the democratic system. “Placatory mechanisms may result in short-term gain, but they cause incalculable spinal damage in the long run,” he cautioned.
The Vice President also questioned the practice of issuing a “whip” in Parliament, suggesting that it curtails freedom of expression and subjects elected representatives to servility. “Why should there be a whip? It curtails expression, it curtails freedom. It forces representatives to serve a command rather than engage in independent thought and deliberation,” he said, calling on political parties to promote democratic principles by allowing lawmakers to express their views freely.
On the issue of parliamentary disruption, Dhankhar lamented the decline of the Indian Parliament, once revered as a “temple of democracy,” into a “wrestling ground” and a “battleground.” He criticized the increasing chaos and dysfunction in the House, pointing out that such disturbances are often orchestrated with a premeditated agenda. “Chaos, disruption, and disturbance in the house are remote-controlled. They step into the temple with firm determination to carry out a command for dysfunction,” he remarked.
Emphasizing the role of young citizens, Dhankhar urged them to hold public representatives accountable, citing the powerful influence of social media as a tool for engagement and awareness. He encouraged young people to audit the functioning of Parliament, stressing the importance of ensuring that elected representatives discharge their duties with integrity and respect for democratic norms.
The Vice President also expressed concern about the state of political dialogue in India, lamenting the lack of meaningful discussion among political parties on critical issues such as nationalism, security, and development. “Political parties have no meaningful dialogue amongst themselves. Confrontation has become the norm, and disturbance is weaponized as a political strategy,” he said, warning against the divisive language used by political leaders across the spectrum.
In his concluding remarks, Dhankhar urged society to take a firm stance against the destruction of public property and violations of law, highlighting incidents of stone pelting, vandalism, and public disorder. He called for a collective effort to name and shame those responsible for such acts and emphasized the need for legal and fiscal accountability. “We cannot take kindly to the disturbance of public order,” he declared, calling for a strong response to protect democratic norms and uphold the rule of law.
Through his statements, the Vice President offered a sobering reflection on the state of Indian democracy, urging citizens, especially the youth, to engage actively in preserving the nation’s democratic values and hold those in power accountable.
