Vice-President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today strongly condemned remarks made by a senior parliamentarian and former finance minister, who claimed that “New laws were drafted by part timers.” Without naming the individual, VP Dhankhar described these comments as an inexcusable insult to the wisdom of Parliament. He questioned, “Are we part timers in Parliament?”
Expressing his strong disapproval, VP Dhankhar stated, “I do not have words strong enough to condemn such a kind of narrative being set afloat. A member of Parliament being labelled as a part timer is ultimately an affront to the institution that is the last source of law formulation.”
He appealed to the senior leader to withdraw his “derogatory, defamatory, and highly insulting observations about the Members of Parliament” and urged him to hold himself accountable to his conscience. Shri Dhankhar cautioned against informed individuals leading the public astray with their elevated positions, emphasizing the need for integrity in such roles.
Addressing the 12th convocation of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, VP Dhankhar expressed his dismay at reading the senior parliamentarian’s comments. He highlighted the significant legislative achievements of Parliament, particularly the recent laws that unshackled India from its colonial legacy, moving from “Danda Vidhan” to “Nyaya Vidhan.”
VP Dhankhar lamented the non-participation of the senior parliamentarian and other legal luminaries during the debates on these laws. He criticized their silence, noting that they failed to perform their constitutional duties and obligations by not contributing to the parliamentary discussions.
The Vice-President warned against individuals who run narratives that undermine the nation, demean its institutions, and taint its progress. He stressed the importance of constructive criticism and the need to recognize and celebrate the country’s achievements.
In his address, VP Dhankhar lauded the Indian Space Research Organisation’s missions, underscoring their contributions to India’s diplomatic soft power and the enhanced quality of life for millions. He congratulated the graduating students and emphasized the importance of lifelong learning, describing education as a powerful tool for fostering equality and positive change.
Recalling his visit to ISRO, VP Dhankhar shared his admiration and inspiration drawn from the work being done by the organization’s people.
Shri S Somnath, President of the Governing Body of IIST; Secretary, Dept of Science; Shri Dr. B.N. Suresh, Chancellor of ISRO; Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre; faculty, staff, graduating students, and their parents were present at the convocation.
