New Delhi, July 22, 2025 – In a surprising turn of events, Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, tendered his resignation from office on Monday evening, citing personal health reasons. His resignation, effective immediately, caught many off guard, particularly coming after a remarkably eventful first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which he presided over as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
In his resignation letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, the 74-year-old former Vice President stated, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately.” He also conveyed his “deep gratitude for the invaluable experiences and insights he gained as Vice President.” This unexpected announcement contrasts with a recent light-hearted remark he made earlier this month at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, where he jokingly stated he would retire at the “right time, August 2027, subject to divine intervention.”
An Eventful Final Day in Office
Dhankhar’s last day in office as Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman was packed with significant parliamentary proceedings. He began Monday by paying respects to former Rajya Sabha members who had passed away between the Budget and Monsoon sessions. Following this solemn start, he administered the oath of office to the newly elected and nominated members of the Upper House, a traditional and significant duty.
However, the day quickly escalated into a tense political standoff. As the session progressed, Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected no less than 18 adjournment motions submitted by opposition members. These motions sought discussions on a range of pressing issues, including the recent Pahalgam attack, “Operation Sindoor” (the specifics of which were not detailed in the available information but likely refer to a sensitive national security or political matter), and concerns over the Bihar voter roll revision. The rejection of such a high number of motions led to immediate ruckus and a brief adjournment in the Upper House, before proceedings resumed for the Question Hour.
The afternoon session witnessed another high-stakes development. Around 200 Members of Parliament submitted a motion for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma. This extraordinary motion was triggered by reports of “burnt wads of cash found at his residence.” Vice President Dhankhar, in his capacity as Chairman, duly mentioned the motion in the House and directed the Secretary General to take the necessary further steps in accordance with parliamentary procedure. He also presided over a critical Business Advisory Committee meeting, which decides the legislative agenda of the House.
Reactions and Speculation
The news of Vice President Dhankhar’s resignation has sent ripples across the political landscape. The Congress party, a prominent opposition voice, expressed immediate surprise. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that the resignation was “totally unexpected” and hinted at deeper, unrevealed reasons, suggesting there is “far more to it than meets the eye.” This sentiment reflects the suddenness of the decision, especially given the Vice President’s active and assertive role in parliamentary proceedings just hours before his resignation.
While health reasons have been cited, the timing – immediately after a contentious day in the Rajya Sabha marked by heated exchanges and significant parliamentary actions – has fueled speculation regarding potential underlying factors. The coming days are likely to see further political commentary and analysis on the implications of this abrupt departure. The office of the Vice President is a crucial constitutional post, serving as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the second-highest constitutional office in India. The process for electing a new Vice President will now commence, in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Constitution.