50 Days After Resignation, Jagdeep Dhankhar Breaks Silence
On September 9, 2025, nearly 50 days after his unexpected resignation as Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar finally broke his silence with a public statement congratulating his successor, C.P. Radhakrishnan. The former Vice President, who also served as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, stepped down on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons, a move that shocked political circles and sparked widespread speculation. His prolonged silence fueled debates, with opposition leaders questioning the circumstances of his exit and the nation awaiting clarity. This blog delves into the significance of Dhankhar’s statement, the context of his resignation, and the lingering questions surrounding this political saga.
The Resignation That Shook the Nation
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation came abruptly on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, a time when the Rajya Sabha was gearing up for critical discussions, including those related to judicial accountability and national issues like Operation Sindoor. Officially, Dhankhar cited health concerns, referencing medical advice as the reason for his mid-term exit, with over two years remaining in his tenure. Reports from earlier in 2025 noted health incidents, including a collapse during an event in Delhi on July 17 and a brief fainting spell in Nainital in June, lending some credence to his stated reason.
However, the timing and manner of his departure raised eyebrows. Dhankhar was actively engaged in his duties, chairing meetings and scheduling official visits, including a planned trip to Jaipur on July 23. His resignation announcement at 9:25 PM on July 21, following a day of parliamentary proceedings, seemed sudden and unscripted. Opposition leaders, including Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, described it as “unprecedented and unexpected,” hinting at deeper political undercurrents.
A 50-Day Silence That Sparked Speculation
For 50 days, Dhankhar maintained what Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called an “uncharacteristic silence.” This was particularly striking given Dhankhar’s reputation as an outspoken figure, known for his vocal stance on parliamentary supremacy, judicial accountability, and issues like farmer neglect and the “ahankar” (arrogance) of those in power. His absence from public discourse, coupled with the government’s reticence, fueled speculation about the true reasons behind his resignation.
The opposition seized the opportunity to question Dhankhar’s whereabouts, with Rahul Gandhi remarking that his silence was a “symptom of the times we are living in.” Some speculated about political pressures, particularly in light of Dhankhar’s handling of an impeachment motion against Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court. The motion, signed by over 50 MPs, was acknowledged by Dhankhar, putting him at odds with the government, which appeared reluctant to confront the judiciary at the time.
Social media posts on X further amplified the mystery. One user questioned whether Dhankhar was “forced” to resign, while another labeled him a “Laapata Vice President,” highlighting the public’s curiosity and the lack of transparency. Additionally, an RTI activist, Ajay Basudev Bose, claimed to have sought answers about Dhankhar’s resignation process, alleging that responses from the Rashtrapati Bhavan raised more questions than they answered, particularly about whether Dhankhar met the President before resigning.
Breaking the Silence: A Congratulatory Note
On September 9, 2025, as the vice-presidential election to replace him unfolded, Dhankhar issued his first public statement since his resignation. In a letter to C.P. Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate who emerged victorious against the opposition’s B. Sudershan Reddy, Dhankhar extended “heartfelt felicitations” on his election as Vice President. He praised Radhakrishnan’s vast experience in public life, expressing confidence that the office would “attain greater veneration and glory” under his stewardship.
The statement, while formal and congratulatory, was notably brief and avoided addressing the circumstances of his resignation. It marked a return to the public eye for Dhankhar, who had been conspicuously absent from political discourse. The government also announced plans to allot him a Type VIII bungalow, in line with his entitlement as a former Vice President, signaling that he remains a figure of relevance in official circles.
Unanswered Questions and Political Implications
While Dhankhar’s statement broke his silence, it did little to quell the speculation surrounding his resignation. Opposition leaders have continued to press for clarity, with Jairam Ramesh urging Dhankhar to speak out on the critical issues he raised before stepping down, such as farmer neglect and governance concerns. The Congress and other opposition parties have suggested that his exit was not solely health-driven but possibly linked to tensions within the ruling BJP and its broader ecosystem, including reported friction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS.
Some analysts view Dhankhar’s resignation as a “blood-on-the-carpet” moment for the Modi regime, pointing to underlying authoritarian tendencies where dissent, even from loyalists, is unwelcome. The absence of senior BJP leaders like J.P. Nadda and Kiren Rijiju from a Business Advisory Committee meeting chaired by Dhankhar on July 21 was interpreted as a deliberate snub, possibly contributing to his decision to resign.
Moreover, Dhankhar’s vocal alignment with RSS ideals and his handling of the impeachment motion may have positioned him as a perceived supporter of the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in the ongoing Modi-Bhagwat tussle, adding another layer of complexity to his exit. Whether Dhankhar will eventually provide a fuller account of his resignation, as some hope he might emulate former Governor Satyapal Malik as a whistleblower, remains uncertain.
Conclusion
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s decision to break his 50-day silence with a congratulatory letter to his successor marks a significant moment, but it leaves more questions than answers. His resignation, one of the most dramatic political developments of 2025, continues to be shrouded in mystery, with health concerns, political pressures, and intra-party dynamics all part of the narrative. As the nation moves forward with a new Vice President, the call for Dhankhar to provide clarity persists, not just for the sake of political transparency but also to uphold the dignity of the high office he once held. For now, his brief statement serves as a reminder of his presence, but the full story of his exit remains untold.
