Amid the foul cry from the opposition and its ecosystem, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has once again critiqued the judiciary, reminding all of the supremacy of Parliament. He also came down heavily on media portals and the opposition ecosystem, which have gone into overdrive publishing op-eds that trivialize constitutional posts as merely ‘ceremonial’ and ‘ornamental’.
Notably, the Vice President delivered the keynote address at an event titled ‘Kartavyam’ – Celebrating 75 Years of the Indian Constitution at Delhi University. During his speech, he doubled down on his criticism of judicial ‘overreach’, particularly in reference to the apex court issuing a directive to the President of India—effectively boxing the highest constitutional post into taking a decision within a time-bound window of no more than three months on bills passed by state assemblies.
In an oblique takedown, he also slammed media portals for launching a smear campaign against the office of the Vice President, attributing it to his dissenting views on the Supreme Court’s controversial decree. In a different context, he underscored, ‘I respect freedom of speech and expression.’
Citing the key phrase “We the People of India” in the Preamble, VP Dhankhar categorically asserted that Parliament is the highest authority in India’s constitutional system. He stressed that elected representatives are the primary custodians of the Constitution.
Citing historical accountability, he referenced the 1977 post-Emergency verdict as proof of public and institutional power in a democracy.
“A prime minister who imposed an Emergency was held accountable in 1977. Therefore, let there be no doubt about it – Constitution is for the people, and it’s a repository of safeguarding it… Elected representatives… they are the ultimate masters as to what Constitution content will be. There is no visualisation in Constitution of any authority above Parliament. Parliament is supreme and that being the situation, let me tell you, it is as supreme as every individual in the country,” the Vice President said to lay emphasise on Parliamentary Supremacy.
Dhankhar pited conflicting Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution’s preamble, pointing to the Gorkanath and Keshavananda Bharti cases as contradictory. He also warned against undermining democratic institutions and called for active engagement from intellectuals in preserving India’s democratic legacy.
“Silence can be dangerous,” he said, “Disruption, damage to public property, and tarnishing institutions should be countered — first through dialogue and, if needed, stronger measures.”
VP Jagdeep Dhankhar lauds Former Justice HR Khanna, the voice of dissent, uncle of sitting Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna
In his initial part of the address, VP Dhankhar lauded Justice Hans Raj Khanna, the only Ex apex court judge who stood firm against the excess of the Indira Gandhi government during the Emergency in 1975. Incidentally, he is the uncle of sitting Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.
The VP dubbed the Emergency as the “darkest period of democracy” adding that there is a need to remind the country why the Constitution Day and the Samvidhan Hatya Divas are celebrated.
VP Jagdeep Dhankhar added that during the Emergency, the Supreme Court ignored the advice of nine high courts that fundamental rights cannot be put on hold.
“There was one dissent voice, and that was from an alumnus of this place,” he said, while lauding Justice HR Khanna, an alumnus of the Delhi University.
His remarks come amid tensions between the judiciary and the executive. Recently, BJP leaders and VP Dhankhar himself accused the Supreme Court of exceeding its constitutional role — especially after the court suggested timelines for the President’s assent to state legislation and addressed pleas for President’s rule in West Bengal.
Commenting on judicial accountability, Dhankhar said, “We now have judges who legislate, execute, and operate as a super Parliament without facing any form of accountability.”
Justice BR Gavai of the Supreme Court, responding indirectly to these concerns, noted during a recent hearing, “You want us to issue a writ to the President? We’re already being accused of encroaching into the executive domain.”
Also Read: VP Dhankhar Slams Supreme Court Over President Directive on Bills
The debate over the separation of powers in India continues to intensify.
