Last Updated:May 01, 2025, 15:25 IST

Expressing concern over the increasing friction between institutions, Dhankhar said all constitutional bodies must perform their roles with due responsibility and mutual respect.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has once again weighed in on the delicate balance between the executive and the judiciary, underlining the need for mutual respect and harmony among constitutional institutions.

Speaking during his visit to Uttar Pradesh, Dhankhar stressed the dignity of constitutional positions, stating, “Our Constitution places two positions as supreme — the President and the Governor. These offices are meant to preserve, protect, and uphold the Constitution. Making remarks about such dignified posts, in my view, calls for deep reflection.”

The Vice President was in Lucknow to attend the launch of a biography on Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, titled ‘Chunautiyan Mujhe Pasand Hain’ (I Like Challenges). The event, held at AKTU in Jankipuram, was attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya, Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, former Governor Kalraj Mishra, and spiritual leader Swami Chidanand Saraswati.

Earlier, Dhankhar was welcomed at the Bakshi Ka Talab Air Force Station by CM Yogi and Governor Patel. The Vice President formally inaugurated the ceremony and released the book.

Expressing concern over the increasing friction between institutions, Dhankhar said all constitutional bodies must perform their roles with due responsibility and mutual respect. “There must be coordination between the legislature, executive, and judiciary,” he said, adding that a spirit of cooperation is essential to the healthy functioning of democracy.

Referring to his long legal career, Dhankhar said, “I have immense respect for the judiciary. I worked in this field for 40 years. Our judges are among the best. But I appeal — we must work together with collaboration and coordination.”

The Vice President’s comments come amid ongoing national debates about judicial overreach and the limits of constitutional authority, a subject he has addressed on multiple occasions in the past. Just weeks ago, Dhankhar had asserted that “Parliament is supreme” and that those elected by the people are the “ultimate masters,” cautioning against any attempt by the judiciary to act as a “super legislature.” His remarks were widely seen as a veiled criticism of recent Supreme Court directives that, according to him, encroached on the executive’s domain.

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