Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has officially resigned from his post, citing health concerns and the need to follow medical advice. In his resignation letter addressed to the President of India, Dhankhar stated that his decision was made in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution of India, which deals with the resignation of the Vice President.
He thanked the President, Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers for their support during his tenure.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the nation. This decision comes after careful consideration of my health condition and the medical guidance I have received," Dhankhar mentioned in his letter.
Read also: “A Cow is a Cow” – Supreme Court Rejects Plea for Use of Only Indigenous Cow Milk at Tirumala Temple
Jagdeep Dhankhar took charge as the Vice President of India on August 11, 2022. As Vice President, he also served as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. Prior to this, he was the Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022.
A Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court before entering full-time public life, Dhankhar brought with him a background in law and governance. However, his tenure was also marked by sharp constitutional debates.
He strongly backed the idea of Parliamentary supremacy, often criticising the Supreme Court’s Basic Structure Doctrine, which asserts that certain core elements of the Constitution cannot be amended by Parliament.
Read also: Supreme Court Directs Isha Foundation and Nakkheeran to Approach Delhi High Court in
His vocal stance against the collegium system of judicial appointments also attracted responses from the judiciary, indicating tensions between the executive and the judiciary during his time.
Recently, he opposed the Supreme Court's judgment which had laid down timelines for the President and Governors to act on Bills, describing Article 142—which allows the apex court to pass orders for “complete justice”—as a
“judicial nuclear missile”.
Dhankhar’s resignation marks the end of a tenure filled with significant constitutional commentary and firm opinions on the separation of powers among the three branches of government.
Read also: Supreme Court Questions Samajwadi Party Over Municipal Office Allotment at Rs.115, Suggests Misuse of Political Power
The President is yet to announce the next steps regarding the appointment of a new Vice President.