Destruction in Rajya Sabha is disgraceful for ‘mother of democracy’, says Vice President Dhankhar

NEW DELHI: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed deep regret over the repeated disruptions in the work of the Rajya Sabha, calling the situation a disgrace to “mother of democracy”
Addressing a special session of the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly on Saturday, Dhankhar said the inability of the House to function was a disgrace to the principles of the Constitution. “As we enter the fourth quarter of the adoption of the Constitution of India, we have not been able to work for a single moment in the Rajya Sabha. I have shame on my head. We cannot afford this kind of spectacle in a country that is the mother of democracy,” he said. – he said.
His comments came amid constant interruptions in parliament. opposition protests on issues such as the Adani controversy, the Sambhal violence in Uttar Pradesh and the situation in Manipur preventing the House from conducting business.
On Friday, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for 15 minutes, continuing the trend of disruptions that plagued the winter session. Dhankhar criticized the misuse of parliamentary instruments such as Rule 267, which he said was “used as a mechanism of disruption”. He lamented: “We are setting a very bad precedent. We are a disgrace to the people of this country and do not live up to their expectations.”
Dhankhar urged political parties to put aside their differences and focus on national priorities, saying, “We cannot, under any circumstances, put any interest above our national interest.” He lauded the orderly behavior of the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly, calling it a “beacon of hope” and contrasting it with the chaos in Parliament. He also highlighted India’s economic progress, noting that although the country is currently the fifth largest economy in the world, achieving developed country status will require collective efforts and significant growth in citizens’ incomes.
The opposition, meanwhile, criticized the government, accusing it of allowing parliamentary interruptions rather than speaking out against them. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the government’s approach, saying: “The big mystery is why the government is not resisting adjournment but instead is facilitating the aggression of INDIAN parties.”
Dhankhar concluded by calling on legislators to reflect on their responsibilities, warning that youth are watching closely and will hold them accountable. “Youth, as the guardians of democracy, will hold us accountable,” he said.