India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from his post due to health concerns. In a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar stated that he was stepping down on the advice of his doctors
In the resignation letter, Dhankhar expressed his gratitude to President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cabinet ministers, and members of parliament. He noted that during his tenure, he received unwavering support and cooperation from the Prime Minister. He also remarked that he had learned significantly while discharging his constitutional duties.
At 74 years old, Dhankhar said he felt fortunate to have witnessed India’s remarkable economic progress and meaningful development during his time in office, and to have been part of it.
Parliament’s monsoon session began on Monday. As Vice President, Dhankhar served as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament. He arrived at the Rajya Sabha at 11am and initiated proceedings as usual. The opposition began demanding discussions on the Pahalgam incident and ‘Operation Sindoor’ from the start of the session.
Dhankhar allowed the Leader of the Opposition, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, to speak in support of the demand, followed by BJP leader and Leader of the House JP Nadda. Amid continued uproar, Dhankhar adjourned the session until noon. He did not return to the House after that.
A law graduate from Rajasthan University in 1978–79, Dhankhar began his professional career as a lawyer. He practiced law for years in the Rajasthan High Court and later in the Supreme Court. He entered politics in 1989, winning the Lok Sabha seat from Jhunjhunu as a Janata Dal candidate. In 1990, he was appointed a Union Minister of State. He later contested and won in state assembly elections and joined the BJP in 2003.
In 2019, Prime Minister Modi’s government appointed Dhankhar as Governor of West Bengal. His tenure in that role was marked by frequent clashes with the ruling Trinamool Congress, escalating tensions between Raj Bhavan and Nabanna.
Dhankhar assumed the office of Vice President in August 2022 after defeating opposition candidate Margaret Alva by a margin of 346 votes.