Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday criticised the narrative advanced by Congress that what happened in Bangladesh can happen in India. Even though he did not take names but it was apparent he was referring to the recent remarks made by Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Mani Shankar Aiyar. Condemning their remarks, the VP called the matter "deeply concerning" and asked to "be on watch out" against forces trying to "impede India's growth".
While addressing the legal fraternity at a platinum jubilee function of the Rajasthan High Court, Dhankhar said that the efforts by some to infuse a narrative that what happened in our neighbourhood is bound to happen in our country is deeply concerning.
"How can a citizen of this country having been a Member of Parliament, and the other who has seen enough of Foreign Service takes no time in saying that what happened in the neighbourhood will happen in India," Dhankhar said
"Be on watch out!! Efforts by some to infuse a narrative that what happened in our neighbourhood is bound to happen in our Bharat, is deeply concerning," he added.
At a recent book launch event, Khurshid had stated that what is happening in Bangladesh can happen in the country even though everything may look normal on the surface. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who was also present at the event, said that he cannot explain what Khurshid exactly meant. But the larger message that the neighbouring country has given is about the importance of free and fair polls and democracy, Tharoor said.
Khurshid's remarks had sparked a row with BJP MP castigating him and terming his remarks "anarchist".
Aiyar had also likened the situation in Bangladesh with that of India.
Asserting that national interest cannot be calibrated, Dhankhar also said that anti-national forces are utilising the platforms of constitutional institutions to legitimise or hide their actions.
"It is the supreme precedence, the only precedence, and we are committed to nation being first, before anything else," he said.
'Forces Trying To Set Anti-National Narrative, Derail Democracy': Dhankhar
The Rajya Sabha Chairman also said that judgements cannot be scripted by the legislature and Parliament just like how judiciary cannot legislate or impart directives that are beyond legislation, news agency PTI reported.
"The role of all institutions are well delineated in the Constitution... it will be dangerous if there is incursion in the domain of one constitutional constitution by the other," he said.
He further asked the audience if these institutions (Legislature/ Executive/Judiciary) were working in their designated areas or whether they were operating in expansion mode to enter in other's area.
Dhankhar emphasised the strength of the three pillar institutions and said that their vulnerability would derail India's development trajectory.
"Our institutions are being exploited by these forces to set a narrative not only anti-national but also aimed at derailing our democracy. So let's work together with the nation-first sentiments. Work to insulate our institution from nefarious designs for our democracy and if they manage to make some inroads, don't be silent, neutralise them," he urged.
Warning people against forces who are "trying to impede our growth", Dhankhar said that those who fall prey to them will have tp face dangerous consequences.
"The forces inimical to Bharat are trying impede our growth and are operating at multiple levels tainting, tarnishing, targeting and diminishing our constitutional institutions," he claimed.
'Never Forget The Price Of Freedom'
Calling Emergency as the "darkest period since independence", he said Indians, especially young generation, should know about it as it was not worth forgetting.
"I implore each one of you to never forget the price of freedom and this vigilance must be dictated by your in-depth knowledge of the suffering of lakhs of people in this country during the draconian period of Emergency imposed by an individual," PTI quoted the VP as saying.
"During Emergency, liberty was held to ransom by one individual. Those arrested without any fault were barred from seeking any judicial help. The apex court overturned the verdicts of nine high courts, that had ruled in favour of the victims," he added.
Talking about the importance of judiciary at the event in the Rajasthan Court, the vice president stated that India is proud of its robust judiciary,which has always contributed towards sustaining the country's democratic values and development.
"Judicial system of a nation and its functionality define its democratic vibrancy. An independent justice system is essential to any shapes of governments as it is the lifeline of life as such," Dhankhar said.