Jagdeep Dhankhar has clarified that his departure from the vice-presidential post in July 2025 was driven by a decision to “prioritise health”, not because he was unwell, a statement that comes as scrutiny persists over the circumstances surrounding his exit. Speaking to supporters and well-wishers in Churu, Rajasthan, the former vice president reiterated that he never claimed ill health as the reason for stepping down, but emphasised that attending to his wellbeing was a considered choice. Dhankhar’s comments mark one of the most detailed public explanations he has offered since his unexpected resignation letter was handed to the President on July 21 last year. In that letter he cited the need to adhere to medical advice and focus on healthcare, under Article 67 of the Constitution, triggering a mid-term vice-presidential election that concluded with C. P. Radhakrishnan succeeding him in September 2025.
Addressing the gathering in Churu, Dhankhar invoked a traditional adage on the importance of health, asserting that he had never been negligent about his wellbeing and that his announcement about relinquishing office was not an admission of illness. He said his intention was to emphasise the value of health, something he felt compelled to do at that stage of his public life.
Dhankhar’s resignation had raised eyebrows across the political spectrum when it was tendered during Parliament’s monsoon session in 2025. As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, a role he held in addition to the vice-presidency, he oversaw parliamentary proceedings that were at times contentious, notably involving motions related to members of the judiciary and clashes over procedural questions. These episodes fed speculation about political tensions within the government and Parliament in the period leading up to his exit, with critics questioning the official explanation for stepping down.
Opposition figures at the time expressed scepticism over the health rationale, pointing to Dhankhar’s active conduct of Rajya Sabha business earlier in the day he submitted his resignation and suggesting that deeper political factors may have been at play. They cited the timing of his departure, which surprised many in New Delhi’s political circles, and flagged unresolved questions about interactions between the Vice President’s office and the government.
Supporters of Dhankhar have since highlighted his decades-long career in public life, during which he held roles as a senior advocate, member of the Lok Sabha, governor, and finally vice president. Many have underscored that navigating the intense demands of public office into his seventies could understandably lead to a reassessment of personal priorities.
In Churu, Dhankhar’s remarks also paid tribute to longstanding relationships, noting that concern for the health of a former colleague drew him to the gathering. He spoke of mutual care among peers, saying that those who had looked after him in his own times of ill-health had earned his lasting gratitude.
The clarification comes as analysts assess the broader implications of his resignation on political dynamics within Parliament and among major parties. Dhankhar’s tenure as vice president, which began in 2022, was marked by episodic tensions with opposition parties over parliamentary procedure and governance issues, as well as debates about the appropriate scope of the Chairman’s role in legislative affairs.
Observers have noted that the vice-presidential role, while largely constitutional and ceremonial, can become politically charged when occupied by a figure with a strong personal profile and history of assertive interventions in parliamentary matters. Dhankhar’s assertive style in presiding over Rajya Sabha sessions drew both praise and criticism, contributing to a complex legacy that continues to be examined in political commentary.