'No one above the Constitution’: Opposition condemns Dhankar's comments on Supreme Court
PTC Web Desk: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s recent statements questioning the powers of the judiciary, particularly Article 142 of the Constitution, have sparked sharp criticism from various opposition parties and legal experts. Leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and senior advocates voiced concerns, accusing Dhankhar of undermining the authority of the Supreme Court and potentially bordering on judicial contempt.
Addressing Rajya Sabha interns on April 17, Jagdeep Dhankhar had described Article 142—which allows the Supreme Court to ensure “complete justice”—as “a nuclear missile against democratic forces” that is available to the judiciary round the clock. He also raised concerns about the court mandating timelines for the President’s actions and the judicial process surrounding FIRs against judges.
Responding to these remarks, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala cited the Supreme Court’s April 8 judgment that imposes a three-month deadline for the President to act on Bills held by Governors. He asserted, “Only the Constitution is supreme in our democracy. No authority, including the Vice President, can override constitutional checks and balances.”
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee condemned the Vice President’s tone, calling it “objectionable” and a sign of “repeated disregard” for constitutional institutions. He emphasised that as a high-ranking official, Dhankhar should be upholding, not questioning, the authority of the judiciary.
Echoing similar sentiments, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva labelled the comments “unethical,” stressing that no one—regardless of office—has the right to indefinitely stall legislative processes under the guise of constitutional power.
Senior advocate and MP Kapil Sibal also joined the debate, questioning Dhankhar’s objection to Article 142. “The Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to deliver complete justice. It is not about curtailing the powers of the President; it is about ensuring justice in its truest sense,” he said.
In defense of the Vice President, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Opposition of selective outrage. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla dismissed the criticism as political hypocrisy. “We don’t need lessons in constitutional morality from parties that refuse to implement parliamentary laws, protect rioters, and prioritise vote-bank politics,” he said.
- With inputs from agencies
