Constitutional institutions must respect boundaries to ensure mutual respect: VP Jagdeep Dhankhar
Lucknow, May 1 (PTI): Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday underscored the importance of constitutional institutions adhering to their defined limits, stating that mutual respect among them can only be ensured when each remains within its jurisdiction.
He warned that conflicts among institutions do not foster a thriving democracy.
Speaking at the launch of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel's memoir "Chunautiyan mujhe pasand hain", Dhankhar referred to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, saying that in such challenges the nation has to stand as one.
"Nation first should always be our guiding principle," he said, adding, "But the gravest challenges are those that arise from within."
Alluding to the recent Supreme Court response to the Waqf Amendment Bill passed by Parliament, he said, "The most dangerous challenges are the ones that come from within... which we cannot openly discuss. These have no logical basis, no connection to national development, and are rooted in governance. I have personally endured such challenges."
Reiterating his emphasis on institutional boundaries, the vice president stated, "It is our binding duty that all constitutional institutions respect each other - and such respect is only possible when institutions function within their respective domains. When there is confrontation, democracy does not flourish."
Dhankhar stressed that the Constitution calls for coordination, participation, deliberation, dialogue, and debate.
"To comment on a post as dignified as the President's is, in my opinion, a matter of deep reflection," he added.
"Every institution has its own defined role, and no institution should encroach on another's responsibility. We must honour the Constitution in its true spirit."
Drawing a clear line between the roles of different branches of government, he said, "Just as the legislature cannot deliver legal judgments - which is the judiciary's domain - similarly, the judiciary must refrain... I have the highest regard for the judiciary. Having practised law for over four decades, I can say we have some of the finest judges. But I appeal for a collaborative and cooperative approach."
Dhankhar had earlier publicly criticised the Supreme Court's intervention on the Waqf Amendment Act.
He also described freedom of expression and debate as essential elements of democracy but cautioned that when someone assumes himself absolute correct while dismissing all others as wrong "freedom of expression becomes a distortion".
He said, "Without debate and dialogue, the philosophical essence of our Vedas would vanish. That leads to ego and arrogance - both detrimental to free expression. India is the world's largest and oldest democracy with a vast cultural heritage. If anyone tries to challenge that under any circumstances, we must confront that challenge."
Recalling the Emergency, Dhankhar said, "Some believe public memory is short, but that's not true. Have we forgotten the Emergency? Though many years have passed, its dark shadows still loom. It was the darkest chapter in Indian history."
He congratulated Patel on her book and said, "Writing such a book is not easy - and writing it with honesty is even more difficult."
Merely writing "Chunautiyan Mujhe Pasand Hain" is itself a big challenge, he said.
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Punjab CM Mann meets President Murmu, seeks cancellation of membership of 6 RS members
Chandigarh (PTI): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu, demanding the termination of the membership of six Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab who defected to the BJP and also pressed for the introduction of a constitutional provision allowing for the recall of members.
Accompanied by party MLAs and ministers, Mann visited Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
This meeting followed a significant setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on April 24, when seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs -- Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney and Swati Maliwal -- quit and merged with the BJP, alleging that the party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Six of the seven MPs who left AAP hailed from Punjab.
After he met with the President, Mann addressed the media here, describing the departure of the seven MPs as a "murder" of the Constitution. He stated, "Seven MPs merging with another party is completely unconstitutional. I spoke to Rashtrapati ji in detail."
Mann pointed out that he told the President that the BJP holds only two MLA seats (in Punjab), yet now has six MPs in the Rajya Sabha. He questioned, "How can this be possible? Isn't it a mockery of the Constitution?
"If they are such revolutionaries at heart, then they should have resigned from their six seats. The AAP could have sent someone else," Mann said, taking a swipe at them.
He emphasised the need for a recall provision in the Constitution, referencing MP Raghav Chadha's previous demands for such a measure when members fail to meet public expectations.
"Have you lived up to the expectations of the people?" Mann challenged the MPs during his statement.
Mann also presented a letter to the President, signed by all AAP MLAs. He differentiated between the terms 'elected' and 'selected,' stating, "They were 'selected.' Therefore, their membership should be cancelled."
The President assured Mann that she would consult constitutional experts before responding.
Earlier in the day, Mann, along with party MLAs, departed for Delhi from Chandigarh.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Mann affirmed that all AAP MLAs stand united with the party. "Only I have been given time for the meeting," Mann said.
"The President is the guardian of the Constitution. She is the constitutional head of the country," he added.
Later in a post on X in Hindi, Mann said, "Our struggle to protect Punjab's rights and interests continues. Today, along with all AAP MLAs, I have left to discuss Punjab's burning issues and present the state's strong voice before the President.
As your public servant, our government remains fully committed to Punjab's prosperity and the safeguarding of the rights of every section of society."
The MLAs and ministers gathered at the chief minister's residence in the morning before heading to Delhi, carrying placards that read 'Punjab Mann De Naal' and 'Punjab's Traitors.'
The legislators left for Delhi in buses.
Mann had previously sought an appointment with the President to meet with party MLAs and demand the "recall" of the Rajya Sabha MPs who defected to the BJP. However, only Mann was given a time slot for the meeting.
