Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stated on Saturday that only Parliament and state assemblies have the power to amend the Constitution, not the judiciary. He was addressing the Constitution Awareness Year celebrations in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Call for Nationalism and Constitutional Awareness
Dhankhar urged people to view nationalism as their biggest religion, prioritizing it over politics and personal interests. He emphasized the importance of understanding the Constitution, which grants fundamental rights and ensures democracy.
Concerns Over External Influence on Elections
The Vice President expressed concerns about foreign funding influencing Indian democracy, referring to recent allegations of USAID’s involvement in voter mobilization efforts. He warned against external forces affecting election outcomes.
Emergency and the Role of Judiciary
Reflecting on India’s history, Dhankhar highlighted the Emergency of 1975, calling it the “darkest hour” in democracy when fundamental rights were suspended. He criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Emergency despite High Courts opposing it.
Judiciary’s Role in Constitutional Amendments
Reiterating the constitutional framework, he clarified that only Parliament and state assemblies can amend the Constitution, while the judiciary can only interpret it.