New Delhi, April 22: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday defended his earlier comments criticizing the Supreme Court, reiterating his concerns over what he perceives as judicial overreach. His remarks come in response to a recent Supreme Court directive mandating that the President act within three months on bills referred by state governors.
Speaking at an event at Delhi University, Dhankhar emphasized the primacy of the legislature, stating, “Parliament is supreme. There is no visualisation in the Constitution of any authority above Parliament.”
His comments follow the apex court’s unprecedented ruling that set a timeline for presidential action on state bills—a move Dhankhar had previously decried as a shift toward making the judiciary a “super parliament.” He warned that such judicial activism could disrupt the delicate balance among the pillars of democracy.
“There is a directive to the President by a recent judgment. We never bargained for democracy for this day,” Dhankhar had said earlier, expressing concern over what he called judicial intrusion into executive affairs. “The President being called upon to decide in a time-bound manner—and if not, it becomes law.”
Reiterating his stance on Tuesday, he added, “It is conceivably intriguing that some believe constitutional offices can be ceremonial or ornamental. This reflects a serious misunderstanding of their role. Every word spoken by a constitutional functionary is guided by the supreme, sublime interest of the nation.”
Dhankhar’s remarks have triggered criticism from legal scholars and opposition leaders, who argue that questioning the judiciary’s role risks undermining the independence of one of the key institutions of the Constitution.
While the Supreme Court’s directive is being hailed by many as a landmark in ensuring timely governance, it has also ignited a broader debate on the separation of powers and the appropriate limits of judicial intervention.
