The North News
New Delhi, June 30
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has dismissed suggestions that he is working under any political pressure, responding to recent remarks by a senior Rajasthan politician who had claimed such influence. “I am not under pressure, I do not pressure anyone, nor do I work under pressure,” Dhankhar said at a public gathering in Jaipur on Monday during the Sneh Milan Samaroh. “A close friend and former Chief Minister suggested we were under pressure. He’s a well-wisher and an old friend. But let me say clearly—there’s no need for concern.”
The Vice-President also spoke at length about the role of governors, noting that they are often treated as “easy punching bags,” especially when the Centre and state governments are led by rival parties. He cautioned against dragging the country’s top constitutional positions into partisan disputes.
“In the current political climate, even the President and Vice-President are being politicised. This is a matter of concern and philosophical reflection,” he said. Dhankhar warned that the increasing political hostility was detrimental to democracy. “The political temperature is not healthy—for individuals or the system. Power changes hands, but that should not create enmity. Our enemies lie across the border, not within,” he said.
He underlined that national interest must rise above party lines. “When we travel abroad, we represent Bharat—not ruling or opposition parties. This is the spirit of Bharatiyata. On global platforms, we are one,” he said. Commenting on India’s economic rise, Dhankhar praised the country’s progress over the past decade. “India was once among the five most fragile economies. Today, we are in the top four globally—surpassing nations like the UK, Germany, and Brazil. No other major economy has grown like India in the last ten years.”
He stressed the importance of respectful public discourse, criticising sensationalism and polarisation in politics. “Expression is the soul of democracy, but it must involve listening. Debate is not just about speaking—it’s about engaging with those who may be right.”
Citing the Constituent Assembly’s legacy, Dhankhar noted that the Constitution was built on dialogue, not confrontation. “It took nearly three years of deliberation—not a single session was disrupted. Their strength lay in compromise.”
Addressing agricultural policy, the Vice-President said that direct subsidies to farmers could significantly raise their household incomes. “If subsidies reach farmers directly, they could receive over ₹30,000 per year. And if fertiliser support is transferred directly, the choice of going organic would be theirs.” The Vice-President’s remarks come amid intensifying political debate across the country, with the monsoon session of Parliament set to begin in the coming weeks.
