Meta Description: Is India’s Vice President abandoning neutrality? Examining Jagdeep Dhankhar’s partisanIntroduction
In a democracy, certain institutions and offices are designed to stand above partisan politics. The Vice President of India is one such role—traditionally seen as a neutral constitutional referee, ensuring fair play in the political arena.
But what happens when the referee starts picking sides?
Recent actions by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar have raised serious concerns. From public confrontations with the judiciary to overtly partisan statements, his tenure has blurred the line between constitutional duty and political allegiance.
This isn’t just about one individual—it’s about the erosion of institutional integrity. When high offices become extensions of political agendas, democracy suffers.
In this article, we examine:
The constitutional role of India’s Vice President
How the current VP has broken from tradition
The dangers of partisan behaviour in neutral offices
What this means for Indian democracy
The Vice President’s Role: A Neutral Arbiter
The Vice President of India serves two key functions:
Chairing the Rajya Sabha – Ensuring orderly debate and upholding parliamentary decorum.
Stepping in as Acting President – If the President is unable to perform duties.
Unlike the Prime Minister or Cabinet members, the VP is expected to remain impartial. The position is modelled after the British House of Lords’ Speaker—neutral, dignified, and detached from political warfare.
Yet, recent events suggest a troubling shift.
Breaking Tradition: When Neutrality Fades
The Vice President of India serves two key functions:
Chairing the Rajya Sabha – Ensuring orderly debate and upholding parliamentary decorum.
Stepping in as Acting President – If the President is unable to perform duties.
Unlike the Prime Minister or Cabinet members, the VP is expected to remain impartial. The position is modelled after the British House of Lords’ Speaker—neutral, dignified, and detached from political warfare.
Yet, recent events suggest a troubling shift.
Breaking Tradition: When Neutrality Fades
1. Public Clashes with the Judiciary
The Indian judiciary has long been a check on executive overreach. But Vice President Dhankhar has repeatedly criticised Supreme Court rulings, particularly on the Basic Structure Doctrine (which prevents Parliament from altering the Constitution’s core principles).
In December 2022, he called the doctrine "undemocratic," sparking a backlash from legal experts. A neutral VP should respect judicial independence—not undermine it.
The Indian judiciary has long been a check on executive overreach. But Vice President Dhankhar has repeatedly criticised Supreme Court rulings, particularly on the Basic Structure Doctrine (which prevents Parliament from altering the Constitution’s core principles).
In December 2022, he called the doctrine "undemocratic," sparking a backlash from legal experts. A neutral VP should respect judicial independence—not undermine it.
2. Partisan Statements & Political Alignment
A Vice President should avoid overt political endorsements. Yet, Dhankhar has:
Praised the ruling party’s policies while ignoring opposition concerns.
Attacked previous governments in speeches, breaking from convention.
Engaged in public spats with opposition leaders, compromising his neutrality.
A Vice President should avoid overt political endorsements. Yet, Dhankhar has:
Praised the ruling party’s policies while ignoring opposition concerns.
Attacked previous governments in speeches, breaking from convention.
Engaged in public spats with opposition leaders, compromising his neutrality.
3. Undermining Parliamentary Decorum
As Rajya Sabha Chairman, Dhankhar has been accused of:
Allowing rushed bills without sufficient debate.
Silencing opposition voices disproportionately.
Failing to maintain the impartiality expected of his role.
As Rajya Sabha Chairman, Dhankhar has been accused of:
Allowing rushed bills without sufficient debate.
Silencing opposition voices disproportionately.
Failing to maintain the impartiality expected of his role.
Why This Matters: The Danger to Democracy
When constitutional figures abandon neutrality:
✔ Institutional Trust Declines – If even the VP is seen as partisan, faith in democracy weakens.
✔ Checks & Balances Erode – A biased referee means unfair political play.
✔ Precedent is Set – Future VPs may follow suit, normalising partisan behaviour.
Democracy thrives when institutions remain independent. The Vice President’s office should be a stabilising force—not another political battleground.
When constitutional figures abandon neutrality:
✔ Institutional Trust Declines – If even the VP is seen as partisan, faith in democracy weakens.
✔ Checks & Balances Erode – A biased referee means unfair political play.
✔ Precedent is Set – Future VPs may follow suit, normalising partisan behaviour.
Democracy thrives when institutions remain independent. The Vice President’s office should be a stabilising force—not another political battleground.
Conclusion: Restoring Neutrality Before It’s Too Late
India’s democracy is resilient, but its institutions must be safeguarded. The Vice President’s role was never meant to be an extension of the ruling party—it was designed to uphold constitutional balance.
If this neutrality continues to erode, the damage could be long-lasting. Citizens, journalists, and lawmakers must demand accountability before norms are irreversibly broken.
What do you think? Should the Vice President remain strictly neutral, or is some political alignment inevitable? Share your views in the comments.
India’s democracy is resilient, but its institutions must be safeguarded. The Vice President’s role was never meant to be an extension of the ruling party—it was designed to uphold constitutional balance.
If this neutrality continues to erode, the damage could be long-lasting. Citizens, journalists, and lawmakers must demand accountability before norms are irreversibly broken.
What do you think? Should the Vice President remain strictly neutral, or is some political alignment inevitable? Share your views in the comments.
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