Primary Role of Parliament to Preserve the Constitution and Protect Democracy: VP Dhankhar

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 27th July. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday emphasized that the primary role of Parliament is to preserve the Constitution and protect democracy.

He stated that there is no more serious guardian of democracy than the Member itself. “If there is any crisis in democracy, if democratic values are attacked, your role is decisive,” he added.

Addressing the orientation programme organized for the newly elected members of Rajya Sabha in Parliament House today, Dhankhar firmly stated that no topic is off-limits for discussion in Parliament, provided proper procedure is followed. Any topic, any person, any individual, including the conduct of the Chair, can be discussed if proper procedure as laid down in rules of procedure of the House is followed, he stated.

Stressing the autonomy and authority of Parliament, the Vice-President emphasized that “Parliament is supreme for its procedure, for its proceedings. Any proceeding in the House, in the Parliament, is beyond review, either by the executive or any other authority.”

“Whatever happens inside Parliament, no one has the authority to interfere except the Chair. It cannot be the executive nor any other institution,” he added.

Dhankhar expressed extreme concern over the “hit and run” strategy adopted by members in Parliament, where a member gives a media bite before speaking in Parliament, comes to Parliament to speak only to capture attention and media space, and then leaves the House without listening to other members, only to give another media bite outside.

He also underlined the growing tendency among members to make personal attacks instead of engaging on issues and the practice of shouting and sloganeering just to please some individuals. “There can be no greater divisive activity than this,” he added.

Describing the Emergency as a painful, heart-wrenching, and darkest chapter in Indian democracy, Dhankhar emphasized that during that time, our Constitution was reduced to just a paper, with fundamental rights being gravely violated and leaders unjustly jailed.

Dhankhar expressed pride in the overall performance of Parliament, stating that Members of Parliament, right from the beginning, have acted in support of the people and have contributed to the growth of this nation except for the period of Emergency.

Lamenting over the current state of the parliamentary system in the country, he emphasized that there are moments when national issues and interests should take precedence over political considerations. He said that the situation today is concerning and disruption, disturbance in Parliament is being used as a political tool.

“This is an attack on the basic spirit of democracy. To harm dignity is to shake the roots of democracy. There can be no greater danger to democracy than imparting an impression that disturbance and disruption are political weapons to score political mileage at the cost of the prestige of Parliament and the nation,” he added.

Reflecting on Parliament’s esteemed role as a bastion of deliberation and a citadel of constitutional values and liberties, Dhankhar called for a shift from a purely political perspective to one focused on nationalism and the broader welfare of the country.

Underscoring the fundamental purpose of the Indian Parliament, Dhankhar highlighted the importance of evaluating the parliamentary system beyond the confines of political parties.

He lauded the Constituent Assembly proceedings as a North Star and a guiding light for modern Indian democracy, highlighting the Assembly’s remarkable three-year journey, spanning 11 sessions, during which it tackled deeply contentious issues without compromising on decorum or dialogue. He emphasized that solutions were reached through collaboration rather than confrontation, setting a high standard for decorum and effective debate.

Addressing concerns about the misuse of parliamentary freedom that the Constitution grants to Members speaking in the House, Dhankhar stated that it has been granted to Members to protect democracy and safeguard the Constitution. He affirmed that any misuse will be dealt with according to parliamentary rules and expressed that he takes no pleasure in taking action against Members.

Noting that for the first time in six decades, a Prime Minister has served a third consecutive term, Shri Dhankhar emphasized the Prime Minister’s role as the leader of the House, representing the entire nation beyond party lines. Expressing concern over recent disruptions in the Rajya Sabha, the Vice President criticized the lack of respect shown during the motion of thanks reply to the Prime Minister.

The Vice President firmly rejected any accusations of bias, reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the Constitution, rule of law, and national interests. He called upon all members to reflect on these fundamental principles and to maintain the dignity of parliamentary proceedings.

Reiterating his commitment to guiding parliamentary conduct, Dhankhar encouraged members to thoroughly review the rulings of the Chair, including those of his predecessors, to better understand parliamentary protocols.

Referring to the practice of pre-determined disruptions by political parties, Dhankhar questioned the validity of such actions, comparing them unfavorably with the robust democracies of other countries that, despite not having India’s rich cultural heritage, maintain effective parliamentary practices.

Dhankhar pointed out that weakening fundamental democratic pillars—executive, judiciary, and legislature ultimately impacts the common citizen. He called for a return to respect and constructive dialogue in the House, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and visionary planning from the government, which is hampered by current practices.

Discouraging the practice of attempting to ask supplementaries on every question, he stressed the need for members to thoroughly review ministers’ replies and ask relevant supplementary questions. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring gender and party balance when selecting questions and urged senior leaders to actively participate to set an example.

Highlighting the significant role of nominated members, appointed by the President, in enlightening society, Dhankhar suggested they create an annual booklet to document their contributions. The Vice President also urged members to use Special Mentions effectively to draw government attention to important issues, emphasizing that these are not mere formalities but tools for initiating action.