Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar Reigns because of health reasons
Posted on July 22, 2025 Current Affairs
Article 67(a) of the Constitution was invoked on July 22, 2025, when the then Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on medical advice because of health reasons. Resignation was unexpected on the first day of the Monsoon Session, when he had two years left before the expiry of his tenure. Illegal as his move came, it initiated political debate and the reexamination of the constitutional provisions touching on the office of the Vice-President. Dhankhar as a Chairman of the Rajya Sabha occupied a major legislative position. His resignation becomes a thing to expect as the rare events in Indian constitutional history and it generates doubts regarding the mechanism of succession and parliamentary stability.
Context
- The vice-President Dhankhar stepped down due to reasons of ill health and this put the constitutional machinery and political arguments about the succession process into the limelight.
Constitutional Provisions Related to Vice-President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation and Removal
- Resignation (Article 67a): Letter to the President, taking effect immediately chairman has received).
- Removal (Article 67b):
- Rajya Sabha passed with a productive majority.
- Grant from Lok Sabha.
- A 14 day notice implies.
- No reason pleaded required
- Is not permitted to preside over the removal debate (Article 92).
Election Process and Eligibility
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Governed by Article 324 (Election Commission powers)
Tenure and Re-election
- 5-year term under Article 67.
- Eligible for re-election.
- Holds office until successor takes charge.
Powers and Functions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About Jagdeep Dhankhar
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical Insight
- The 11th Constitutional Amendment (1961) altered the process of electing the Vice-President who was previously elected by joint sessions to a more complex mode of electoral college.
Conclusion
The case of Jagdeep Dhankhar leaving the office signifies the constitutional process in action and provokes one to consider the contribution of the Vice-President in maintaining stability in the legislature. It is also an indication of a phase change process that as of now needs to be taken up according to constitutional norms and political preparedness.
