VP Dhankhar Concerned Over Indian Political System's Strain, Urges Restoration of Democratic Values

Dhankhar criticized the trend of making the Chairman or Speaker a "convenient punching bag" by opposing sides, deeming it inappropriate.

Vice-President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today voiced serious concerns regarding the current state of India's political system, highlighting the significant strain it is under. Addressing Members of both Houses of Maharashtra Legislature in Mumbai, Dhankhar lamented that the essential principles of debate, dialogue, deliberation, and discussion in legislatures have been overshadowed by disruptions and disturbances.

Dhankhar criticized the trend of making the Chairman or Speaker a "convenient punching bag" by opposing sides, deeming it inappropriate. He stressed the need for fairness and respect towards the Chair, urging senior members of parliament and legislatures to lead by example in maintaining decorum.

Reflecting on the recent Parliament session, Dhankhar expressed disappointment over the evident moral decline in legislative discourse. He described the Parliament and state legislatures as the "north star of democracy" and called on Members of Parliament and Legislatures to demonstrate exemplary conduct.

"Presently, all is not well with the functioning of our parliament and legislatures," Dhankhar noted, citing strategized disruptions and a lack of dialogue among parties as significant issues. He emphasized the need for introspection by political parties to address this alarming scenario.

Dhankhar bemoaned the loss of wit, humor, satire, and sarcasm in legislative discourse, now replaced by confrontational and adversarial interactions. He urged political parties to discipline their members and reward those who demonstrate excellent performance, rather than those who disrupt proceedings.

Recounting interactions with members who admitted to being instructed by their parties to disrupt house proceedings, Dhankhar questioned the rationale behind such commands. He highlighted the importance of decorum and discipline as the essence of democracy and urged parliamentarians to contribute meaningfully rather than seeking to earn brownie points.

The Vice-President underscored the historical significance of ethics and morality in Indian public life, asserting that these values are crucial for parliamentary democracy. He called for regular nurturing of democratic values and high ethical standards through cooperation.

Dhankhar emphasized the doctrine of separation of powers, cautioning against incursions by one branch of government into the domain of another. He advocated for the development of a structured mechanism for interaction among the legislature, judiciary, and executive to ensure harmony.

Criticizing the practice of non-participation in debates, Dhankhar disapproved of members seeking to monetize their lack of participation. He stressed the importance of active engagement in legislative discussions.

Dhankhar described the topic "Enhancement of Democratic Values and Ethics in our Country" as highly relevant and expressed his vision for India to emerge as a global model of democracy. Confident in India's progress, he asserted that parliamentarians at both state and central levels must lead by example to ensure the nation’s development.

He concluded by expressing confidence that India is on its path to becoming a developed nation by 2047, with parliamentarians playing a crucial role in this journey.