Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday strongly reiterated his stance on the supremacy of Parliament while criticising what he termed as judicial "overreach".
Speaking at an event hosted by Delhi University, Dhankhar emphasised that every statement made by a constitutional authority is rooted in national interest and defended his recent comments, which drew criticism following a Supreme Court order.
The Vice President's remarks came in response to a Supreme Court directive that prescribed a three-month timeline for the President to act on bills sent for her assent by state governors. Dhankhar expressed concern over the judiciary encroaching upon the roles of the executive and the legislature, warning against what he called an attempt to transform the judiciary into a "super Parliament."
In his address, Dhankhar asserted that there is no provision in the Constitution for any authority to be placed above Parliament. He reiterated that Parliament is the supreme legislative body in India and insisted that elected representatives are the ultimate custodians of the Constitution.
He also criticised those who describe constitutional posts as merely ceremonial or ornamental, calling such views fundamentally flawed. He stressed that constitutional functionaries, as well as citizens, play vital roles in preserving democratic values.
Highlighting the critical role of citizens in a democracy, the Vice President said that democracy thrives when citizens are alert and actively contribute to the nation's progress. He described the citizen as the soul of democracy and asserted that the vibrancy of democratic values depends on the engagement and vigilance of the people.
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Drawing from historical precedent, Dhankhar recalled the 1977 general elections following the Emergency, where the then Prime Minister was held accountable by the electorate. He used this example to reinforce the idea that power ultimately rests with the people and their elected representatives.
Revisiting his earlier criticism of the Supreme Court’s timeline for the President to act on bills, Dhankhar had said such directives represented a departure from the democratic structure envisioned by the Constitution.
According to him, the idea that the President must respond within a set timeframe, and that failure to do so could result in a bill becoming law automatically, undermines the executive’s role and violates constitutional boundaries.
The Vice President’s remarks have sparked a fresh debate over the separation of powers between the judiciary, the executive, and the legislature. His comments have also drawn criticism from legal and political circles, with some accusing him of undermining the judiciary and misinterpreting constitutional provisions.
Also Read: Kapil Sibal rebukes Dhankhar over ‘super parliament’ remark
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