Are We Part-Timers In Parliament?’: VP Dhankhar Slams Chidambaram For Disparaging Parliament’s Lawmaking Process

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar strongly condemned remarks made by senior parliamentarian and former finance minister Shri P Chidambaram, who characterized the drafting of new laws as the work of “part-timers.” Dhankhar described these comments as an egregious insult to the parliament’s wisdom and posed the question, “Are we considered part-timers in parliament?”

Expressing deep concern over Chidambaram’s statements to an English daily, the Vice-President stated, “I do not have adequate words to condemn such a narrative. Labeling a member of parliament as a part-timer undermines the parliament, which is the ultimate source of law formulation.”

Dhankhar appealed directly to Chidambaram to retract his “derogatory, defamatory, and highly insulting observations” about parliament members and urged him to reflect on the impact of his words on the institution.

Reflecting on the situation, Dhankhar cautioned against being led astray by well-informed individuals. He remarked, “When someone in a position of influence says something they don’t truly believe, people tend to believe it. We must be vigilant.”

Speaking at the 12th convocation of IIST in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Dhankhar expressed his shock over the remarks, stating, “This morning, upon reading a newspaper, I was stunned by the words of a former finance minister and long-standing Member of Rajya Sabha.” He emphasized the importance of parliament’s role in shaping laws, highlighting the opportunity missed by parliamentarians during the debate on three significant laws.

The Vice-President criticized the non-participation of legal luminaries and senior advocates during the debate, suggesting it was a failure to fulfill their constitutional duties. He questioned the credibility of those who seek public resonance while avoiding their responsibilities.

Dhankhar concluded by cautioning against narratives that undermine the nation, its institutions, and its progress. He warned against engaging in criticism solely for the sake of criticism, urging vigilance against those who disregard realities and perpetuate detrimental narratives.