VP Dhankhar Urges Youth to Uphold Constitutional Values at Rajya Sabha Internship Programme

In a wide-ranging and deeply reflective address, Vice-President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, engaged with the participants of the 7th Batch of the Rajya Sabha Internship Programme (RSIP-7) at the Vice-President’s Enclave, invoking key themes of democratic resilience, constitutional integrity, civilizational values, and holistic well-being.

The Vice-President’s speech served as a potent civic lesson, intertwining India’s historical struggle with democratic suppression during the 1975 Emergency, the importance of constitutional literacy, the spiritual and philosophical depth of Indian civilizational thought, and the global resonance of International Yoga Day.

Emergency of 1975: A Dark Chapter in India’s Democratic History

Setting the tone for his address, Shri Dhankhar reminded the interns that June 25 marks the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, an event he called a "chilling" and "sobering reminder" of the fragility of democracy when institutional checks are ignored.

“India was in its 28th year of independence. On June 25, 1975, at midnight, the then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signed a proclamation of Emergency at the behest of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,” he said.

He emphasized the constitutional violation wherein the President acted on the advice of an individual Prime Minister, bypassing the Council of Ministers, a breach of Article 74 of the Constitution. “This led to the arrest of over 1,00,000 citizens in a matter of hours. People were dragged from their homes, jailed, and the Constitution ceased to operate in its essence,” he recounted.

The Vice-President recalled that the media was muzzled, with some newspapers resorting to blank editorials in protest. He named notable political detainees of the era—Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Morarji Desai, Chandra Shekhar—who later went on to become national leaders.

The Judiciary’s Role and a “Dark Verdict”

Shri Dhankhar expressed strong concern over the judiciary’s role during the Emergency, stating that nine High Courts upheld fundamental rights even during such a crisis. However, the Supreme Court overturned these rulings, effectively denying the very existence of fundamental rights during the Emergency.

“It was perhaps the darkest day in the history of any judicial institution committed to rule of law,” he remarked. “The verdict allowed for a dictatorship in the name of executive discretion.”

Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas: Honouring the Constitution’s Spirit

Highlighting a recent milestone, the Vice-President informed the audience that June 25 has now been officially declared as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day) through a Gazette Notification dated July 11, 2024, in observance of the 75th year of India’s Republic.

“This is not to reopen wounds but to ensure we never forget the price of democracy,” he urged. “We must be the watchdogs of our democratic system.”

Religious Harmony and the Perils of Coercive Conversion

Moving beyond political history, Shri Dhankhar also addressed concerns about religious conversions through inducement or coercion, calling it an assault on India’s civilizational identity.

“India believes in religious harmony. But sugar-coated allurements to change one’s faith shake our civilizational foundations. Choosing a faith must be voluntary—not transactional,” he warned.

Yoga: India’s Gift to the World and a Key to Inner Transformation

With International Yoga Day being celebrated on June 21, Shri Dhankhar delved into its Indian origins, spiritual significance, and global impact. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating the global movement during his 2014 UN General Assembly speech, which led to 177 countries supporting UN Resolution 69/131, declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day.

He shared his personal experiences from Yoga Day celebrations in Jabalpur and praised the Prime Minister’s participation in the UN Headquarters event, showcasing India’s global leadership in promoting holistic well-being.

“Yoga is not just for one day. Integrate it into your daily life. It purifies the mind and body and helps overcome stress and negativity,” the Vice-President said.

He also referenced the Atharvaveda, calling it “encyclopedic” in its insights on wellness, further rooting Yoga in India’s ancient wisdom.

A Call to the Youth: Guardians of Democracy and Culture

Addressing the young interns directly, Shri Dhankhar urged them to become conscious custodians of democracy, constitutionalism, and ethical governance.

“You were not there during the Emergency. I was. So it becomes your duty to learn, analyze, and ensure it never happens again,” he said.

He concluded with a heartfelt appeal: “In a democracy, eternal vigilance is not just the price of liberty—it is the foundation of it. Be informed, be engaged, and be anchored in India’s rich civilizational ethos.”

Other Dignitaries Present

The interaction was also attended by:

• Shri P.C. Mody, Secretary General, Rajya Sabha

• Dr. K.S. Somashekhar, Additional Secretary, Rajya Sabha

• Other senior Rajya Sabha officials and dignitaries