Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on the first day of Parliament has raised several questions, even as the government has chosen to be silent on the issue, the opposition is reading between the lines.
Jagdeep Dhankhar submitted his resignation to the President Droupadi Murmu, on Monday night saying, he needs to prioritise his health and abide by medical advice. He stated that his resignation comes into effect immediately.
The abrupt resignation came just hours after what turned out to be 74-year-old Dhankhar’s final sitting as the Rajya Sabha Chairman. There was no indication about it during the day.
“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution,” Dhankhar, 74, said in his letter to the President.
According to Indian Express sources, he had an “unscheduled” meeting with President hours before his resignation. There was no official statement from either the President’s or the Vice President’s office regarding the content of their discussion.
Health complications in the past
In June, on a visit to Nainital in Uttarakhand, Dhankhar had collapsed at the Kumaon University. Officials had then said the day was “unusually hot” and the hall in which he was addressing a gathering was “stuffy”. They said he had fainted briefly, and his personal security officer was quick to hold him.
Earlier this month, on a visit to Kerala, the former vice president was seen being held by his spouse, Sudesh, and an aide as he was walking.
Again, on July 17, Dhankhar felt unwell when he went to Vatika developed by Delhi LG VK Saxena. It took him a few minutes to recover as his spouse offered him water.
Second day of Monsoon session
The second day of the Monsoon session saw opposition protesting over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters list in Bihar. The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Tuesday due to protests by the opposition demanding a discussion on the ongoing voter roll revision in Bihar, even as the government accused them of practising “double standards” by asking for a debate on one hand and disrupting the House on the other.
Opposition members trooped to the Well of the Lok Sabha when the House reconvened at 2 pm after two earlier adjournments demanding a discussion and roll back of SIR exercise initiated by the Election Commission in Bihar ahead of assembly polls scheduled for later this year.
(With inputs from PTI)
Dhankar resignation LIVE: Deputy RS Chairman meets President
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh called upon President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned last night (July 21) from the post of Vice President. The second day of the Monsoon session today was chaired by Harivansh. The Parliament for the day has been adjourned.
Both Houses of the Parliament - Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha - have been adjourned till tomorrow, Wednesday (July 23).
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Amid the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, residents of his native village Kithana in Jhunjhunu expressed shock and concern.
Harendra Dhankhar, a local, said, “We were deeply shocked to hear the news. He had an angioplasty in March, and his health deteriorated during a recent visit to Uttarakhand.” The village had celebrated his rise to Vice President in 2022, proud that a farmer’s son had reached such heights. “ He supported our school and cowshed generously,” Harendra added.
The entire village is now praying for his recovery and good health, hoping he makes a full and swift return to wellness.
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Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs demanding discussion on SIR (Special Intensive Review) and other issues.
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Dhankar resignation LIVE: PM Modi reacts to Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation
PM Narendra Modi tweets, "Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health"
Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 22, 2025
श्री जगदीप धनखड़ जी को भारत के उपराष्ट्रपति सहित कई भूमिकाओं में देश की सेवा करने का अवसर मिला है। मैं उनके उत्तम…
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President Droupadi Murmu accepts resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar
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Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 PM amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs over Bihar SIR.
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Jagdeep Dhankar resigned as Vice President of India on Monday citing health reasons. Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Hegde now explains the process of electing a new Vice President.
VIDEO | Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Hegde explains the process of electing a new Vice President as Jagdeep Dhankar resigned from the position yesterday citing health reasons.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 22, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/YS8lDtkYda
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Amid growing concerns and speculation surrounding Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation as Vice President, Union Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday clarified that both he and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had informed the Vice President’s office in advance about their inability to attend a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting convened by Dhankhar on Monday evening, shortly before his resignation.
Nadda’s remarks came in response to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who had questioned the absence of the Leader of the Rajya Sabha and Rijiju at the crucial BAC meeting.
“The Vice President’s office was informed of our inability to attend the meeting,” said Nadda, who also serves as Union Health Minister and BJP President.
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Dhankar resignation LIVE: ‘Soviet-style resignation’ - What Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said on Dhankhar's exit?
When asked about the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram remarked that it resembled a "Soviet-style resignation," where senior officials were often compelled to step down under the pretext of medical reasons.
"It took everyone by surprise, including me," Chidambaram said. "This looks like one of those Soviet-style resignations from back in the day, when high-ranking officials were asked to go, citing medical grounds. Hopefully, in the coming days, we will see some transparency."
Commenting on the Bihar SIR, he added, "I view the SIR like the Jim Crow laws in America during the days of segregation. It is likely to be used as a tool to disenfranchise people from the minority community."
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Opposition MPs, including Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, staged a protest at the Makar Dwar of Parliament on Tuesday. They demanded a debate on the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, accusing it of potential voter disenfranchisement.
#watch | Delhi: Opposition MPs including Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, protest at Makar Dwar of Parliament over the issue of SIR (Special Intensive Review) exercise in Bihar. pic.twitter.com/VqlzlJryFK
— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2025
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A senior BJP leader told Indian Express that the government had to face “much embarrassment” as it was moving a motion sponsored by it for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma in the Lok Sabha.
Yesterday when JP Nadda was was set to move a motion in the Lok Sabha for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma Dhankhar, while presiding over the Rajya Sabha, acknowledged a similar motion submitted by the Opposition in the Upper House.
“Hon’ble members, I need to inform you that I have received a notice of motion… to constitute a statutory committee for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma,”
Dhankhar announced in the House. “It is signed by more than 50 members of the Council of States, and thus it meets the numerical requirement to initiate the process.”
Since he was chairing the Rajya Sabha at the time, Dhankhar’s statement was binding. But what irked the government, BJP leaders say, was that he made the announcement without prior consultation with the Treasury Benches.
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