North News
New Delhi, January 22
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today criticized the weaponization of judiciary, stating that it has become a major challenge to governance and democratic values. Speaking at the Vice-President’s enclave, Dhankhar said, “Access to judiciary, a fundamental right, has been weaponised in recent decades, posing a great challenge to our governance.”
He expressed concern over executive functions being performed by bodies lacking proper jurisdiction, citing the example of a tehsildar recording an FIR, which he said is constitutionally unacceptable. He also warned that such expedient actions may yield short-term gains but could cause long-term damage to institutions. On the issue of Whips in Parliament, Dhankhar questioned their necessity, suggesting they curtail freedom of expression and subject representatives to servility. He urged a reassessment of parliamentary discipline, reflecting on the disruptions in Parliament, which he described as a “battleground,” far removed from its intended role as a “temple of democracy.”
The Vice President encouraged young minds to hold public representatives accountable, leveraging social media’s power to audit parliamentary functions. “You can show the mirror to those not fulfilling their constitutional duties,” he added.
Dhankhar also emphasized the need for trained professionals in politics, stressing that holding the government accountable is essential for its improvement.
