‘Should resign instantly’: Opposition slams VP Dhankhar’s comments on SC | India News

NEW DELHI: Opposition leaders have strongly criticised Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s latest comments concentrating on the Supreme Court, accusing him of undermining the judiciary and violating constitutional norms. Dhankhar had questioned the Supreme Court’s authority underneath Article 142 and criticised its verdict setting timelines for presidential assent to payments, sparking sharp reactions from opposition leaders.
“Article 142 has become a nuclear missile against Democratic forces available to judiciary 24×7. We cannot have a situation where you direct the President of India and on what basis? The only right you have under the Constitution is to interpret the Constitution under Article 145(3). There it has to be five judges when Article 145(3) was there, the number of judges in the Supreme Court was eight, 5 out of 8, now 5 out of 30 odd more,” Dhankhar had stated.

‘No workplace is above the Constitution’: Congress

Senior Congress chief Randeep Singh Surjewala expressed his deep disagreement with the Vice President’s place, regardless of acknowledging Dhankhar’s expertise and mind. He stated the Supreme Court’s verdict was “timely, courageous and correct,” and clarified that even excessive places of work such because the President or Governors aren’t proof against constitutional checks.
“In our democracy, only the Constitution of India is supreme,” Surjewala stated, including, “Judicial independence is indeed a ‘nuclear missile’—to strike down injustice, arbitrariness and misuse of power.” He argued that if the President or Governors had been allowed unchecked authority, it will render elected legislatures powerless. “The Constitution would never confer such unbridled powers,” he warned.

‘Dhankhar ought to resign instantly’: TMC

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee launched a scathing assault, accusing the Vice President of repeatedly making derogatory remarks in regards to the judiciary. “This is not expected from someone holding a constitutional position,” he stated.
Banerjee demanded Dhankhar’s resignation, stating, “He does not deserve to remain in the post of Vice President of India. He cannot attack one of the pillars of our democracy.” His remarks got here in response to Dhankhar calling Article 142 a “nuclear missile against democratic forces,” whereas questioning the Supreme Court’s energy to direct the President.

‘We should act with sensitivity throughout establishments’: RJD

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha urged for a extra balanced and delicate strategy amongst all establishments of democracy. “Whether it is the executive, legislature, judiciary, or media, there has to be a fine balance,” he stated.
Jha careworn the necessity for constructive engagement as an alternative of battle. “We are in an era of politics where we need to think with sensitivity,” he stated, cautioning in opposition to confrontations that would injury institutional integrity.

‘Vice President’s remarks are unethical’: DMK

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva slammed Dhankhar’s comments as “unethical,” asserting that they violate the precept of separation of powers.
“When all three branches act within their own spheres, we must remember that the Constitution is supreme,” Siva stated. He backed the Supreme Court’s ruling, which set timelines for presidential assent, as a step in the direction of defending legislative authority from indefinite delays. “No constitutional authority can override bills passed by elected legislatures,” he added.

Saddened and stunned: Kapil Sibal

Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal additionally criticised comments on the judiciary, expressing disappointment and questioning his understanding of constitutional rules. Sibal stated he was “saddened and surprised” by Dhankhar’s remarks, significantly the comparability of Article 142 to a “nuclear missile.”
He defended the judiciary as one of the vital trusted establishments and accused the federal government of selectively accepting courtroom rulings primarily based on political comfort. Sibal clarified that Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to make sure full justice and careworn that the President is a titular head who acts solely on the recommendation of the Cabinet. He warned in opposition to distorting this framework and criticised the Vice President for questioning the courtroom’s composition in key verdicts.
Responding to Union ministers who echoed Dhankhar’s issues, Sibal stated the bench dimension is set by the Court itself and have to be revered. He additionally raised issues over makes an attempt to undermine the judiciary’s function.