VP Dhankhar says healthy debate hallmark of democracy, cautions against disruption

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who underlined that healthy debate is the hallmark of a blossoming democracy, cautioned against confrontational posturing and the weaponisation of disruption and disturbance.

Delivering the opening remarks at the commencement of the Special Session of Rajya Sabha Dhankhar noted that Upper House has witnessed numerous milestones, from the ‘Tryst with Destiny’ on August 15, 1947, to the implementation of the groundbreaking goods and service tax regime on June 30, 2017 to the present day.

The five-day special session of Parliament began today.

Recalling the decorum and healthy debate witnessed during the Constituent Assembly’s deliberations over three years, he noted that contentious and highly divisive issues were negotiated in a spirit of consensus.

“The success of our democracy is a collective, concerted endeavour of ‘We The People Of India,’” he said.

“We all are constitutionally ordained to nurture democratic values and must so justify and vindicate the trust of the people,” he added.

Dhankhar emphasised the significance of the 75-years of Parliamentary journey, and highlighted the achievements, experiences, memories, and learnings that have shaped Indian democracy.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing mediapersons outside Parliament said that all decisions aimed at making India a developed country by 2047 will be taken in the new Parliament building.

The session today will be held in the old Parliament building, and MPs will move into the building on September 19, the second day of the special session.

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