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New Delhi: Amid intensifying opposition speculation over the sudden resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday clarified that Dhankhar stepped down solely on health grounds, rejecting allegations that he was placed under “house arrest.”
In an interview with a news agency, Shah said Dhankhar’s resignation letter “speaks for itself,” noting that the former VP had cited health issues and expressed “heartfelt gratitude” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, and government colleagues for their support during his tenure.
“Baat ka batangad nahi banana chahiye (don’t make a fuss),” Shah remarked when asked about opposition claims. “Dhankhar ji held a constitutional post and discharged his duties as per the Constitution. He resigned due to health reasons. One should not deliberate much on it.” The Home Minister’s comments came after Congress and other opposition parties questioned the circumstances surrounding Dhankhar’s exit. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed it the “first-ever instance” of a vice president’s resignation being accompanied by “silencing.”
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also alleged that the BJP was pushing India “back to medieval times,” where, he claimed, “the king could just remove anybody at will.” Gandhi added, “Just yesterday I asked, where is the old vice president gone?”
Adding to the chorus, senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal suggested that Dhankhar’s disappearance from public view was so unusual that it even raised the question of whether a habeas corpus petition should be filed.
The BJP, however, has firmly dismissed such claims. Party leaders reiterated that Dhankhar resigned voluntarily on July 21 — the opening day of the monsoon session of Parliament — citing his wish to “prioritise health care and abide by medical advice.” At the time, Dhankhar was serving as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. His resignation, submitted to President Droupadi Murmu, formally ended his tenure less than three years after he assumed the office of Vice President.
