Kharge calls Jagdeep Dhankhar 'school headmaster', blames him for disruptions

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of being the “biggest reason for disruptions” in the Rajya Sabha. Kharge alleged that Dhankhar's conduct was “partisan,” claiming that he had compromised the dignity of the office and undermined the functioning of the Upper House. Kharge stated that since 1952, no resolution had been moved to remove a Vice President from office, as previous officeholders maintained neutrality. However, he claimed Dhankhar had violated this tradition by acting in a politically biased manner, making the functioning of the Rajya Sabha more about politics than parliamentary procedures.

In his remarks, Kharge, who is the leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, criticized Dhankhar for failing to remain neutral and for prioritizing political considerations over parliamentary rules. He asserted that the Chairman’s behavior was not in line with the expectations of the office, which should be impartial and focused on facilitating orderly proceedings. Kharge added that Dhankhar’s actions had resulted in the disruption of debates, particularly by frequently interrupting opposition members and using privilege motions to silence them.

Kharge further described Dhankhar as acting "like a school headmaster" who lectures experienced opposition leaders while preventing them from speaking during debates. The Congress leader claimed that Dhankhar's actions, such as stopping opposition leaders from addressing the House while often praising the government, created an atmosphere that was detrimental to healthy debate and the democratic process. Kharge argued that the Rajya Sabha's role as a forum for debate had been compromised due to the Chairman's interference.

The opposition, including parties from the INDIA bloc such as Congress, RJD, TMC, CPI, CPI(M), and others, has submitted a notice to bring a no-confidence motion against Dhankhar. This motion seeks the removal of Dhankhar from his position as Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman. According to Article 67 of the Indian Constitution, such a motion requires a 14-day notice period, and it must be approved by the Deputy Chairman before being formally introduced in the House. This marks the first time that a motion to remove a Vice President has been moved in the Rajya Sabha.

The motion highlights growing dissatisfaction with Dhankhar’s tenure, especially regarding his handling of opposition members and his alleged bias towards the ruling government. While the motion is unlikely to succeed due to the ruling BJP’s majority in the Rajya Sabha, it underscores the opposition's concerns about the functioning of the House and the role of the Chairman in maintaining parliamentary decorum. The opposition claims that Dhankhar’s conduct has delegitimized dissent and undermined the authority of the Rajya Sabha as a platform for free expression.

The winter session of Parliament is set to conclude on December 20, and the motion, if introduced, is expected to be addressed in the next session. The no-confidence motion will require support from a majority of Rajya Sabha members to be effective, but the opposition is unlikely to secure the necessary numbers given the current composition of the House.