The opposition INDIA bloc intensified their attack on Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of partisanship and stifling dissent. With a no-confidence motion and fiery rhetoric from leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Sanjay Raut, this clash sheds light on the deepening fault lines in Indian democracy.
BY PC Bureau
In a further escalation of tensions in Parliament, leaders of the INDIA bloc launched a fierce critique of Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of “partisan” conduct. The salvo came a day after the bloc submitted an unprecedented no-confidence motion under Article 67, marking a rare moment in Indian parliamentary history.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took center stage, alleging that Dhankhar had abandoned the neutrality expected of his office. “Since 1952, no resolution has been brought under Article 67 because vice presidents have traditionally refrained from political bias. Now, the House is governed by politics, not rules, with the chairman displaying blatant partisanship,” Kharge declared.
Not holding back, Kharge described Dhankhar as stifling opposition voices and micromanaging the chamber like a “school headmaster.” He further accused Dhankhar of delivering sermons while blocking meaningful debate, adding, “The biggest reason for disruptions in the Rajya Sabha is the chairman himself. He is working as a government spokesperson, eyeing his next promotion.”
Defending the no-confidence motion, Kharge explained, “We are fed up with his behaviour and partiality. That’s why we sought his removal.” However, with the INDIA bloc lacking a parliamentary majority, the motion is unlikely to succeed. Predictably, the ruling NDA coalition dismissed the move as a politically motivated stunt.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a blistering attack, likening the proceedings under Dhankhar to a “circus.” Raut, a seasoned parliamentarian with 22 years of experience, lamented, “I have seen chairpersons like Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Hamid Ansari, but this is the worst situation I’ve witnessed. The Rajya Sabha is no longer a temple of democracy but a stage for chaos.”
Raut accused Dhankhar of prioritizing his own monologues over legislative business, saying, “He spends 40 minutes delivering speeches at the start of each session and then seems to fuel disruption instead of fostering debate. Our parliamentary heritage is rich, but this chairman is eroding it.”
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back at the INDIA bloc, condemning the motion as an affront to parliamentary decorum. “The opposition disrespects the dignity of the Chair in both Houses. Vice President Dhankhar, who comes from a humble background, has always spoken about people’s welfare. We have full faith in his leadership and condemn this politically driven notice,” Rijiju asserted.
With both sides digging in, the Rajya Sabha faces one of its most polarized moments in recent history. Amid the cacophony, questions loom large over the future of parliamentary decorum and the balance of power in India’s legislative system.
