‘Similar insensitivity on full display after one year’: Congress on Dhankhar resignation

Congress on Dhankhar resignation (ANI image)

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday criticised the Centre on the first anniversary of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, alleging that he was forced to step down three years into his five-year tenure because he repeatedly spoke about the plight of farmers.In a post on X, Ramesh said Dhankhar was appointed “with great fanfare” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi but was abruptly made to resign after expressing anguish over farmers’ distress and what he described as the government’s “shocking insensitivity” towards them.The Congress leader said the same “insensitivity and indifference” was now visible in the government’s handling of the concerns of lakhs of students and youth, referring to ongoing protests over alleged examination irregularities and demands for greater transparency in the education system.“It was exactly a year ago today that the then Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha was forcibly made to resign just three years into his five-year tenure. He was appointed with great fanfare by the Prime Minister but was suddenly made to exit because he repeatedly expressed anguish at the plight and distress of farmers and the Modi Govt’s shocking insensitivity towards them — a similar insensitivity and indifference now on full display in regard to the pressing concerns of lakhs of students and youth,” Ramesh wrote.Ramesh also alleged that Dhankhar was not even given the courtesy of a formal farewell by members of the Rajya Sabha after demitting office.Jagdeep Dhankhar assumed office as Vice President in August 2022 and was due to complete his five-year term in 2027. However, on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 21 last year, he unexpectedly resigned, citing health reasons.In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar wrote, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice-President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”President Murmu subsequently accepted his resignation. Dhankhar became only the third Vice President after V V Giri and R Venkataraman to step down before completing a full term. Both Giri and Venkataraman had resigned to contest the presidential election.