West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, Image credit: PTI
New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar underscored the unequivocal importance of Parliament's sovereignty as the exclusive architect of the Constitution, emphasising its immunity to interference from either the executive or judiciary.
Addressing a Constitution Day event, Dhankhar advocated for a structured interaction mechanism among key institutions, highlighting the need to contain issues within the governing bodies. He acknowledged efforts towards establishing such a system to avoid public disclosure of institutional disagreements.
He emphasised that for the nation's continuous advancement, a collaborative discourse among the executive, judiciary, and legislature is imperative, steering away from confrontational approaches.
Regarding the distinct roles of these institutions, Dhankhar stressed the constitutional mandate for each branch—executive, judiciary, and legislature - to function within its designated domain. He asserted that the Constitution's framers never contemplated one organ appropriating the authority of another.
While acknowledging the dynamic nature of governance amid evolving challenges, Dhankhar stressed the importance of convergence among the institutions, urging the resolution of differences through statesmanship rather than public posturing.
Expressing satisfaction with the individuals leading these institutions, Dhankhar noted their statesmanship and farsightedness. He advocated avoiding public discord, emphasising the need for a mechanism for structured interaction among the governing bodies to prevent issues from becoming public spectacles.
The Vice President, previously critical of the Supreme Court's decision to annul the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, urged legislators to utilise debate, dialogue, and deliberation, not disruption, during the upcoming Parliament session.
Dhankhar also reflected on India's history, labelling the Emergency in 1975 as the country's darkest period, stressing that it was a breach of the Constitution. He underscored the importance of the Constitution, noting its pivotal role in preserving freedom, except during that episode.
Touching upon Article 370's abrogation, Dhankhar credited this act as a tribute to B R Ambedkar, who refrained from drafting it. He highlighted the article's adverse impact on the people of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that its revocation aligned with Ambedkar's intentions.
Concluding his address, Dhankhar criticised those who aim to disparage the country's achievements, noting their difficulty in accepting positive developments. He marked November 26 as Constitution Day, commemorating the adoption of India's Constitution by the Constituent Assembly in 1949.