WATCH: VP Dhankhar Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi's Microphone Remark, Says 'Mics Were Turned Off During Emergency'

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said Lok Sabha is a huge panchayat where mics have never been turned off. He claimed that some people go out and say that mics are switched off in India.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Source : PTI

In an indirect attack on Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said “Lok Sabha is a huge panchayat where mics have never been turned off,” reported news agency ANI.

He indirectly referred to Rahul Gandhi when he claimed that some people go out and say that mics are switched off in India. Dhankhar was hinting at Rahul Gadhi’s lecture at Cambridge University in the UK earlier. 

Dhankhar said, “I am Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha is a huge panchayat where mics have never been turned off. Someone goes out & says mics are turned off in this nation...yes there was a time during Emergency when mics were turned off,” as twitted by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Meerut: "I am Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha is a huge panchayat where mics have never been turned off. Someone goes out & says mics are turned off in this nation...yes there was a time during Emergency when mics were turned off": Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar pic.twitter.com/izXBuKcYEg

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2023

He said there was a massive problem in the country during the emergency when mics were shut off.

This is not the first time that Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has hit out at Rahul Gandhi for his speech in the UK.

Earlier this week on Thursday, Dhankhar said that while India is having its moments of glory as the G20 presidency, some parliamentarians are engaged in the thoughtless unfair denigration of our well-nurtured democratic values, reported news agency ANI.

A few days ago, Dhankhar stated that India is the most effective democracy that has gained international recognition in his address to the gathering at the event. On numerous topics, India is influencing global discourse.

"How ironic how painful! While the world is applauding our historic accomplishments as a functional vibrant democracy, some amongst us including parliamentarians are engaged in the thoughtless unfair denigration of our well-nurtured democratic values. How can we justify such wanton orchestration of a factually untenable narrative," he said, quoted ANI.

"Mark the timing of this unwholesome misadventure - While India is having its moments of glory-- as President of G20 and there are people outside of the country working in overdrive to denigrate us. Such misplaced campaign mode to taint and tarnish our parliament and constitutional entities is too serious and exceptional to be ignored or countenanced. No political strategy or partisan stance can justify compromising of our nationalism and democratic values," the Vice President said in a veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding his remarks in the United Kingdom. 

"If I observe silence on this misadventure-orchestration by a Member of Parliament outside the country which is ill-premised, unwholesome and motivated, I would be on the wrong side of the Constitution. It will be constitutional culpability and outrage of my oath of office," Dhankhar said, according to ANI. 

"How can I sanctify a statement that mikes in Indian Parliament mikes are put off? How can people say so? Has there been any illustration?" he stated.

Dhankhar stated that the country has a troubling period in its political history in relation to the Emergency. The darkest time for any democracy was the Proclamation of Emergency.

He stated that the democratic system in India is now mature and cannot be replicated. Dhankhar said, "Anyone who says so, inside or outside the country, that in Indian Parliament Mikes are put off... Imagine this being done after having held the floor for nearly 50 minutes. Such kind of wanton and misadventure to run down our democratic values cannot be countenanced."

VP said assuming that he notices quiet, the mass larger part of individuals who put stock in the country will be quiet until the end of time. He stated that the nation cannot allow such a narrative to gain traction from those who wish to thwart India's expanding economy.

"You run down our judiciary on foreign soil. Where on the planet is a judiciary that acts with lightning speed?"

He added that India's judiciary is made up of the world's most brilliant minds. He stated that the current situation in the democratic temples is concerning. Dhankhar stated,  "Disruption and not decorum is the order of the day."

"Undoubtedly our people are concerned and anguished with projection as disruptors of proceedings, shouters of slogans and practitioners of indecorous conduct -throwing papers and whipping out mikes and walking into the well of the house? Our Parliamentarians need to exemplify conduct worth emulating," he added. 

On Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that "protecting democracy" in India is the responsibility of every Indian living abroad.

The Congress MP, who was visiting the UK, criticised the Centre, claiming that Indian democracy's fundamental structure had been attacked.

During an interview at London's Chatham House, Rahul Gandhi referred to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a "fundamentalist" and "fascist" organisation, claiming that it has seized nearly all of India's institutions.

He stated, "The nature of democratic contest in India has completely changed and the reason is that one organisation called RSS - a fundamentalist, fascist organisation has basically captured pretty much all of India's institutions."