Every word spoken by constitutional functionary guided by national interest: Dhankhar

Vice-President Dhankhar asserts that every word spoken by a constitutional authority is guided by national interest.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) asserted that every word spoken by a constitutional authority is guided by supreme national interest as he hit out at his critics for questioning his remarks on a recent Supreme Court order.

A Supreme Court Bench had recently prescribed a three-month timeline for the President to decide on bills reserved by governors for her nod.

Reacting to the directive, Mr. Dhankhar had said that the judiciary cannot play the role of a “super Parliament” and get into the domain of the Executive.

Addressing a Delhi University event, he said every word spoken by a constitutional functionary is guided by the supreme sublime interest of the nation.

“I find it conceivably intriguing that some have recently reflected that constitutional offices can be ceremonial, ornamental. Nothing can be far distanced from a wrong understanding of the role of everyone in this country — constitutional functionary or a citizen,” he said.

He also said there is no visualisation in the Constitution of any authority above Parliament. “Parliament is supreme,” he asserted.

Voicing concern over a recent Supreme Court ruling prescribing a timeline for the President to decide on bills, Mr. Dhankhar had on Friday last (April 18, 2025) said India had not bargained for a democracy where judges will legislate, perform Executive functions and act as a “super Parliament”.