Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, in a compelling address on Constitution Day, underscored the critical importance of maintaining the sanctity and separation of powers among the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. Speaking at an event organized by the Ministry of Law & Justice, Dhankhar emphasized the distinct roles and boundaries of these three pillars of the Indian state, cautioning against any overreach into each other’s domains.
Reflecting on the vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, one of the chief architects of the Indian Constitution, Dhankhar stated,
“Dr. B.R. Ambedkar never envisioned that there could be an incursion into Parliament’s powers and there is a need to ensure there is no sacrilege of either organ.”
He highlighted the necessity for a collaborative approach in governance, advocating for a convergence of attitudes among the different branches of government.
“Governance is dynamic and it needs collaborative effort and issues arising must be ironed out,”
he remarked.
Dhankhar further delineated the roles of the three state organs, emphasizing their independence and the need for them to refrain from encroaching upon each other’s functions. He said,
“The legislature should be free to enact laws, the executive should be free to implement any law, and the judiciary should be free to interpret laws.”
He expressed concern over the judiciary’s interpretative powers, cautioning,
“Constitutional provision allowing interpretative power to the Supreme Court regarding legislation is a small slit and it cannot be a floodgate.”
In his address, Dhankhar also revisited historical events, notably criticizing the Emergency period as a dark chapter in Indian democracy. He described it as a “sacrilege of the Constitution of India” and an insult by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. On a contrasting note, he lauded the current government’s decision to abrogate Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir.
“We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Article 370 is not a part of the Indian Constitution,”
he said, adding,
“Sardar Patel was left out from dealing with Jammu and Kashmir and dealing with its integration. The nation paid a heavy price for it and now thankfully we are back on the tracks.”
Dhankhar called for a reaffirmation of allegiance to the core values of the Constitution and warned against deviations from these principles. He expressed his confidence in the leadership of the country’s institutions, stating,
“We couldn’t be more fortunate than having these illustrious people heading these institutions.”
The Vice President’s remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of respecting the distinct functions and boundaries of the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary in a constitutional democracy. His call for harmonious collaboration among these organs highlights the need for a balanced approach to governance for the nation’s progress and adherence to constitutional principles.
